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CNN to air debate between Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz

CNN has scheduled a primetime debate for Feb. 7 between Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. The two senators, both 2016 presidential primary contenders, will focus on the future of the Affordable Care Act.

The 90 minute debate will air at 9 p.m., and will be moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, with audience members also getting to ask questions. Cruz will represent the viewpoint of President Trump and the Republican party, while Sanders will represent progressives and Democrats.

The debate comes as Congress tackles the question of how to repeal and replace Obamacare, a key campaign promise of the new administration.

While CNN may be iced out by the Trump administration, that has not stopped the cable news channel from thriving in this news-heavy year. CNN executives have long said that "the news is the star" at the channel, but as well as the channel is doing, Fox News has seen its ratings lead grow since the election of Trump.

CNN has continued to host primetime town halls since the election (it hosted one with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi this week), so it makes sense that it would try to continue to have debates as well, given how well they performed during the presidential primary. Next week's debate won't have the viewership that a primary debate had, but it will be newsy and exclusive, which may be just enough to get wary viewers to tune in and watch.