CNN to hold back-to-back debates with GOP candidates
Given such a large Republican field, CNN is planning back-to-back debates with eight GOP candidates each on Sept. 16.
First lady Nancy Reagan is inviting 16 candidates to the debate doubleheader at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, CNN announced Tuesday.
"Debates are a crucial part of the election process, and I'm thrilled that so many qualified candidates have the opportunity to be heard at the Reagan Presidential Library," Mrs. Reagan said in a statement.
CNN drew a contrast between its set-up and the one Fox News used last week, in which the top ten in an aggregate of polls debated in prime time while seven other candidates participated in an afternoon session.
"Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, who participated in the debate of lower-tier candidates last week, has not yet been invited" to the Sept. 16 event, CNN said. "Candidates must achieve an average of at least 1% of support in three recognized national polls before September 10 to be included in the debate, as well as meeting other criteria."
"The top 10 contenders who made it into the primetime Fox News/Facebook debate last week - Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, John Kasich -- have all been invited as well as six of the seven candidates who participated in the earlier debate: Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham and George Pataki."