RNC Suspends Partnership With NBC For Debate

RNC Chairman: “We Are Suspending The Partnership With NBC News.” From a letter by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to NBC News Chairman Andrew 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 RNC's 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 America's future. We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns. [GOP.com, 10/30/15]

NBC: “This Is A Disappointing Development.”

Official NBC News statement: “This is a disappointing development” -- on RNC suspending its debate with NBC/Telemundo (1/2) -- Mark Murray (@mmurraypolitics) October 30, 2015

“However, along with our debate partners at Telemundo, we will work in good faith to resolve this matter w the Republican Party.” (2/2) -- Mark Murray (@mmurraypolitics) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

Journalists React To Suspension

NY Times' Jonathan Martin: “Damage Control: RNC Tries To Keep Heat Off Them, On Nets.”

Damage Control: RNC tries to keep heat off them, on nets https://t.co/awTt6F7Eto -- Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

Wall Street Journal's Reid Epstein: “RNC In Crisis Mode.”

RNC in crisis mode - trying to protect self from full candidate mutiny https://t.co/GReXHshYxK -- Reid J. Epstein (@reidepstein) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

NPR's Domenico Montanaro: Suspended Debate “Is The Only One They Have With A Hispanic Co-Sponsor - Telemundo.”

Realize that this Feb debate that the @GOP just suspended with NBC is the ONLY one they have with a Hispanic co-sponsor - Telemundo -- Domenico Montanaro (@DomenicoNPR) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

Huffington Posts' Amanda Terkel: “Why Don't Other Media Outlets Doing GOP Debates Come Together And Refuse To Hold Theirs [Because] Of This?”

Why don't other media outlets doing GOP debates come together and refuse to hold theirs bc of this? Parties shouldn't have this power -- Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

Real Clear Politics' Rebecca Berg: “Seems Harsh.”

So, any time a debate is poorly executed, a network risks future debates being de-sanctioned by RNC? Seems harsh. https://t.co/RCr4wOp1BA -- Rebecca Berg (@rebeccagberg) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

Politico's Steven Shepard: “All Three Networks Ran Debates That Prioritized Conflict Over Respectful Contrast.”

All three networks ran debates that prioritized conflict over respectful contrast. (1/?) -- Steven Shepard (@POLITICO_Steve) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

Washington Post's Greg Sargent: “Do They Really Think Their Voters Are This Moronic?”

Oh for God's sake. Do they really think their voters are this moronic? https://t.co/LT0sjSdArA -- Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

Sargent: “RNC Just Pulled Out Of The Only Debate That Has A Spanish-Language Partner.”

Important detail: RNC just pulled out of the only debate that has a Spanish language partner: https://t.co/Tg32xNDfxv -- Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]

Huffington Post's Sam Stein: “Would Be Nice To See Media Outlets Band Together On This And Call BS.”

And for the love of god, would be nice to see media outlets band together on this and call BS. Not holding out hope -- Sam Stein (@samsteinhp) October 30, 2015

[10/30/15]