Posted on 10/30/2015 9:59:44 AM PDT by abb
Mr. Andrew Lack Chairman, NBC News 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, New York 10112
Dear Mr. Lack,
I write to inform you that pending further discussion between the Republican National Committee (RNC) and our presidential campaigns, we are suspending the partnership with NBC News for the Republican primary debate at the University of Houston on February 26, 2016. The RNCâs sole role in the primary debate process is to ensure that our candidates are given a full and fair opportunity to lay out their vision for Americaâs future. We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns.
The CNBC network is one of your media properties, and its handling of the debate was conducted in bad faith. We understand that NBC does not exercise full editorial control over CNBCâs journalistic approach. However, the network is an arm of your organization, and we need to ensure there is not a repeat performance.
CNBC billed the debate as one that would focus on âthe key issues that matter to all votersâjob growth, taxes, technology, retirement and the health of our national economy.â That was not the case. Before the debate, the candidates were promised an opening question on economic or financial matters. That was not the case. Candidates were promised that speaking time would be carefully monitored to ensure fairness. That was not the case. Questions were inaccurate or downright offensive. The first question directed to one of our candidates asked if he was running a comic book version of a presidential campaign, hardly in the spirit of how the debate was billed.
While debates are meant to include tough questions and contrast candidatesâ visions and policies for the future of America, CNBCâs moderators engaged in a series of âgotchaâ questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates. What took place Wednesday night was not an attempt to give the American people a greater understanding of our candidatesâ policies and ideas.
I have tremendous respect for the First Amendment and freedom of the press. However, I also expect the media to host a substantive debate on consequential issues important to Americans. CNBC did not.
While we are suspending our partnership with NBC News and its properties, we still fully intend to have a debate on that day, and will ensure that National Review remains part of it.
I will be working with our candidates to discuss how to move forward and will be in touch.
Sincerely,
Reince Priebus Chairman, Republican National Committee
Why did he insert National Review in there? Any idea?
Look at that pretentious __________ try to steal the initiative away from the candidates.
RNC, your days are done.
We tried for decades to tell you to shape up.
Pound sand...
My apologies for the pair of offensive imagery, but it tells you how strongly I feel about this.
Congratulations John Harwood: you were so thoroughly vile that you were the last straw for our leadership. Thanks for being you!
That’s what the letter says.
Don’t you mean “The Cruz Effect”? Ted Cruz is the one who initially called out the moderators, not Trump.
I am as well. Just started yesterday.
If the stories are true then they may all be cancelled and replaced with the candidate’s version.
National Review was to be involved in holding the debate.
Priebus has said they will still be participating, but NBC won't.
are the ad dollars gone too?
Priebus must have a HUGE revolt on his hands from all sides.
The establishment complaining it was too Trump.
The reporters demanding the candidates stop picking on them.
The candidates stating that will take negotiations out of his hands.
Seppuku, Reince.
Well, as the old saying goes....half is better than none (snix).
I’d automate the moderator function with software, but it would be fun to have the same crew back, but wired up to cattle prods on sensitive areas this time to keep them in line.
Run the debate on Beck’s channel - The Blaze - and then change the venue to Hillsdale College instead of holding it on enemy turf.
Trump has a vice grip on Rinse Fleabait’s family jewels!
Beck is psychotically anti-Trump No Beck. Use OAN
GOPe
as always, leading from behind
National Review was supposed to be a co-moderator of that debate.
National Review = GOPe?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.