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CNN Ratings Hit a New Low for 2019 Dem Debates; Debate Slammed by Critics, Candidates

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By Fox News. CNN may have been the biggest loser on Tuesday night as host of the lowest-rated Democratic primary debate so far this election cycle.

The network landed an average of 8.3 million views during the three-hour telecast. That marked quite a dip from its previous two-part debates in July, where viewership peaked at 10.7 million. CNN’s debate also saw an almost 50-percent drop from the first debate hosted by NBC News back in June, which received 15.3 million viewers.

In addition, 449,000 viewers watched live streams on various platforms from CNN and The New York Times, who co-hosted the debate.

The fourth debate featured 12 candidates on one stage. They were: former Vice President Joe Biden,; Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts; Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont; South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; Sen. Kamala Harris of California; tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang; Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey; former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas; Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota; former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro; Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii; and billionaire donor Tom Steyer.

CNN and The Times faced an avalanche of criticism during and after the debate. The hosting news outlets received backlash for not asking the 12 candidates about topics including China, which has made big headlines in recent weeks amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S.; the mounting tensions in Hong Kong; and the growing controversy with the NBA. (Read more from “CNN Ratings Hit a New Low for 2019 Dem Debates” HERE)

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CNN Debate Slammed by Critics, Candidates: ‘Damaged the Network’s Credibility Even Further’

By Fox News. CNN’s Democratic presidential debate was criticized by everyone from media watchdogs to the candidates themselves following Tuesday’s showdown — with complaints ranging from perceived favoritism of Sen. Elizabeth Warren to attacks on the specific questions asked by moderators.

The Hill media reporter Joe Concha told Fox News that CNN’s debate enhanced its already not-so-respectable reputation.

“The network is under heavy criticism from the left and right today, and rightly so,” Concha said. “Its pursuit of sizzle over steak and focus on social issues over truly substantiate matters – economy, jobs, opioid crisis, border crisis, all-things China – has damaged the network’s credibility even further.”

CNN partnered up with The New York Times for the event, which was moderated by CNN’s Erin Burnett and Anderson Cooper and Gray Lady editor Marc Lacey. While viewers complained about several issues with the moderators, a question Cooper asked about Ellen DeGeneres and former President George W. Bush’s friendship was perhaps the most lampooned.

(Read more from “CNN Debate Slammed by Critics, Candidates: ‘Damaged the Network’s Credibility Even Further’” HERE)

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Kamala Surprises, Biden Flakes, and Dems Tear Each Other Apart in First 2020 Debate

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By PJ Media. In two marathon stretches on Wednesday and Thursday, 20 candidates in the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination fought for time and exposure on the debate stage in Miami, Florida. In the first night, former Rep. Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke (D-Texas) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) lost, but there was no clear winner. In the second night, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) emerged triumphant over the frontrunner, former Vice President Joe Biden.

The first debate round on Wednesday achieved the basic goal of a debate, allowing each candidate to define himself or herself as an option, distinguishing between the different choices. The second debate round on Thursday involved more acerbic attacks, pitting candidates against one another to yield clearer winners and losers. . .

On Thursday, however, candidates targeted one another. Harris went toe-to-toe with Biden on the issue of his record of treating segregationists with civility. While Biden was right to say he did not actually praise segregationists, as Booker had falsely claimed, Harris slammed him and emerged the clear victor in the exchange.

Harris also emerged triumphant in a spat early on. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) urged Biden to “pass the torch to a new generation of Americans.” Biden shot back, saying, “I’m still holding on to that torch.” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg tried to edge in, but shouted over one another. . .

Attacks on Trump came sparsely in the first round, but frequently in the second round. The two debates had entirely different spirits, and the first round was a better debate than the second. The clearest winners were Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg. Notable mentions include Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Tulsi Gabbard, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. The clearest losers were Beto O’Rourke, Joe Biden, and Amy Klobuchar. (Read more from “Kamala Surprises, Biden Flakes, and Dems Tear Each Other Apart in First 2020 Debate” HERE)

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Biden Falters in Democratic Debate

By The Hill. Front-runner Joe Biden faltered in the Democratic presidential primary debate here Thursday evening, suffering some damage at the hands of rivals while also stumbling of his own accord.

The former vice president hit particularly rocky ground when he was confronted by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) on his recent warm words for two Southern segregationists of a previous era, the late Sens. James Eastland (D-Miss) and Herman Talmadge (D-Ga.).

Harris also highlighted Biden’s past opposition to school busing. . .

He also defended his vote to give then-President George W. Bush the power to go to war in Iraq, arguing that Bush had abused that power.

On Iraq, Biden was left vulnerable to the inevitable attack from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who took the opportunity to remind voters that, in contrast to Biden, he had “led the opposition to that war, which was a total disaster.” (Read more from “Biden Falters in Democratic Debate” HERE)

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Google Analytics Suggest a Surprising Winner of the First Democrat Debate; As Expected, 2020 Dems Disappoint Pretty Much Everyone

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By The Blaze. While pundits debate which candidate had a good showing and which had a bad showing at the first Democratic debates, Google analytics provided a technical measure that is a strong indicator of who won.

The official Google Trends social media account tweeted that Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii had the greatest increase in searches on their online engine.

Ten of the Democrats that met the qualifications for the debate battled it out in the first of two debates in Miami, Florida.

The account posted a map of searches and indicated that although the Hawaiian congresswoman was the fourth most searched candidate ahead of the debate, but the top candidate searched during the debate.

The analysis indicated that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) had been the top candidate searched ahead of the debate. In second place was Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and in third place was Beto O’Rourke. (Read more from “Google Analytics Suggest a Surprising Winner of the First Democrat Debate” HERE)

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Democrats Disappoint Hollywood During First Debate

By Breitbart. Hollywood was largely disappointed during the first Democratic presidential debate on Wednesday night, with reaction spanning from pillory to praise to panic.

“I already heard six candidates tonight that can see themselves out, permanently,” actress Amber Tamblyn fumed, sounding unenthused with over half of the Democratic candidates on the debate stage.

“Not a promising start,” said HBO late-night host Bill Maher, who pointed out how most of the candidates dodged the first question and failed to answer how they could justify pushing sweeping economic policy while a large majority of America (and 60 percent of Democrats) say they are doing well in President Trump’s economy.

Actor Don Cheadle seemed completely put off by the debate halfway through the first hour. “why don’t we just have running color commentary from the booth and a scoreboard and throw instant replay in there too to make it all complete …?” the Avengers: End game star suggested.

(Read more from “Democrats Disappoint Hollywood During First Debate” HERE)

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Mic Breakdown Mid-Democratic Primary Debate; Trump Mocks Them

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Halfway through the first Democrat primary debate on Wednesday night, there were noticeable mic issues, which forced moderator Chuck Todd to cut to commercial break. The disruption was quickly pounced on by President Donald Trump, who blasted NBC and MSNBC for their “unprofessional” snafu.

The issues started when NBC’s Todd asked the Democrat candidates about their position and plans regarding gun control. Hearing voices in the background, the candidates remarked about their mics being on, according to CNN. . .

The NBC host then went forward with his question, but the technical issues continued. Apparently, according to Todd, his colleagues backstage had not yet turned off their mics, CNN reported. He quickly threw to commercial so the error could be fixed. . .

Last week, Trump said he planned on live-tweeting the first round of 2020 Democratic primary debates, according to The Wall Street Journal. As noted by The Daily Wire, the move was considered “controversial among Trump’s aides, with some strategists claiming that it would be better for the president if the Democrats, who will debate in two shifts over two nights, were allowed to attack each other without the president as a distraction.”

(Read more from “Mic Breakdown Mid-Democratic Primary Debate; Trump Mocks Them” HERE)

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