GOP Debate Preview: NBC News Takes Steps To Try To Limit Candidate Chaos
08.11.2023 - 13:31
/ deadline.com
When five Republican presidential candidates take the stage at tonight’s debate in Miami, host network NBC is hoping to limit the number of moments where candidates talk over one another.
That was one of the features of the last Republican debate, marked by instances of unintelligible verbal tussles. At one point, Vivek Ramaswamy shot back at Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), “Thank you for speaking while I am interrupting — interrupting while I am speaking.”
This time around, there will be two fewer candidates on the stage, something that could ease a bit of the pressure on contenders to make their mark during the two-hour time frame. In addition to Ramaswamy and Scott, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have qualified.
Moderators Lester Holt, Kristen Welker and Salem Radio’s Hugh Hewitt are giving candidates a longer 90 seconds to answer questions, and 60 seconds to answer follow up questions. The network also is telling candidates that invoking a candidate’s name or policy will not entitle that candidate to respond, although one of the moderators may choose to seek one. And each candidate will get the chance to answer the first question. Candidates will have 60 seconds for their closing statement.
An NBC News executive said that they hope that it will help take the anxiety level down on the stage but still leave open the possibility of candidates engaging with each other. In other words, the idea is that candidates won’t feel as much pressure to interrupt. “This is really up to the candidates now,” the executive said.
The audience of 1,500, including RNC and network guests, will be instructed to refrain from outbursts during the event, as they have at