AFAIK, the word count has never been used to adjust the time allotted in a debate. Every debater knows that the pauses can be more effective than the words, and the pacing matters a lot.
It’s common today to give people with a “challenge” (e.g. stuttering) extended time on oral exams. CNN is essentially saying that Obama is a special-needs debater, and needed accommodations.
I know I was on my high school debate team many, many years ago and was a member of Toastmasters for years. I just want to deflate their excuse for incompetence.
Well bless his heart.