Friday's NBC Nightly News set aside just 34 seconds of air time to the Republican National Committee suspending its planned February 2016 debate with NBC. The evening newscast surrounded this coverage with over two minutes of reporting on other 2016 presidential campaign developments, including the latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll results, and the aftermath of the recent CNBC debate — focusing on the spat between Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush. By contrast, ABC's World News Tonight and CBS Evening News devoted full reports to the RNC's suspension of the NBC debate, which was going to be co-hosted by Telemundo. [video below]
Anchor Lester Holt led the program with a promo touting "our brand new poll showing Senators Cruz and Rubio winning the debate — though Carson and Trump remain on top," and added that "a new debate controversy erupts." However, Holt didn't mention the issue as he lead into correspondent Hallie Jackson's report. He merely gave the results of the poll.
Jackson did mention the controversy moments into the segment, after noting that "multiple campaigns planning to huddle Sunday to compare complaints" about the now-infamous CNBC debate:
HALLIE JACKSON: Now, the Republican Party is suspending February's NBC News/Telemundo debate — the only debate to be aired on Spanish language TV — writing, 'CNBC's moderators engaged in a series of 'gotcha' questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates.' CNBC said this week, 'People who want to be president of the United States should be able to answer tough questions.' NBC News, owned by the same parent company as CNBC, calls the suspension a 'disappointing development,' but promises to 'work in good faith to resolve this matter with the Republican Party.
The NBC journalist spent the rest of her report on the "new momentum to...Marco Rubio, who landed a counter-punch against Jeb Bush."
On World News Tonight, ABC's Jonathan Karl highlighted "the Republican candidates revolt...fuming over this week's debate on CNBC." Karl pointed out that "this is not the first time Republicans have complained," and zeroed in on "Donald Trump's fury over the way he was treated in the first debate." Major Garrett underlined on CBS Evening News that "CNBC has endured withering Republican criticism for the conduct of its moderators."
The transcripts on the ABC, CBS, and NBC's coverage of the RNC's decision on the Friday evening newscasts:
10/30/2015
07:07 pm EDT
NBC Nightly NewsLESTER HOLT: Turning now to the race for 2016 — we've got a brand new NBC News online poll conducted by SurveyMonkey — the first since Wednesday's Republican debate — showing Ben Carson now in a dead heat with Donald Trump for the lead. But as for who actually won the debate, the polls show Senator Ted Cruz on top; followed by Senator Marco Rubio; and then, Trump and Carson. Overall, Jeb Bush fared worst in the debate.
NBC's Hallie Jackson is on the campaign trail in Iowa with more.
[NBC News Graphic: "Who Would You Vote For? Oct 27-29, +/- 1.5%; Republican Voters: Carson, 26%; Trump, 26%; Best Job In The Debate? Cruz, 24%; Rubio, 20%; Trump, 17%; Carson, 15%"]
HALLIE JACKSON (voice-over): For a couple candidates, a kind of victory lap planned for this weekend in Iowa — but it's Colorado still the focus today, after Wednesday's debate there. Multiple campaigns planning to huddle Sunday to compare complaints.
BECKY QUICK (from CNBC Republican presidential debate): Just a minute — now, just a minute. We're going to get—
MIKE HUCKABEE, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Only time I've had a chance — let me finish!
UNIDENTIFIED MAN (off-camera): Okay. All right.
JACKSON: Now, the Republican Party is suspending February's NBC News/Telemundo debate — the only debate to be aired on Spanish language TV — writing, ' CNBC's moderators engaged in a series of 'gotcha' questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates.' CNBC said this week, 'People who want to be president of the United States should be able to answer tough questions.' NBC News, owned by the same parent company as CNBC, calls the suspension a 'disappointing development,' but promises to 'work in good faith to resolve this matter with the Republican Party.
More fallout, after a debate giving new momentum to Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, who landed a counter-punch against Jeb Bush.
SENATOR MARCO RUBIO, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (from CNBC Republican presidential debate): And someone has convinced you that attacking me is going to help you.
HALLIE JACKSON: The super PAC supporting Rubio—
UNIDENTIFIED MALE ANNOUNCER (from Conservative Solutions PAC ad): He took on the Republican establishment—
JACKSON: Previewing its first ad, is also highlighting Cruz, Donald Trump, and Ben Carson as his biggest competitors — notably not mentioned: Rubio's former mentor, Jeb Bush. That's even as a leaked memo shows the Bush campaign's plan to go after Rubio, painting him as 'a risky bet.'
RUBIO: Someone decides that they want to do the Democrats' job for them and make it easier for the Democrats to defeat a Republican — that's a choice they make in their campaign. But I can't let it change my campaign, and I won't.
JACKSON: Today, signs of a shake-up for Bush — his chief operating officer leaving his campaign — another way to cut costs, as Bush promises to get better as a candidate — explaining how to MSNBC's Casey Hunt.
JEB BUSH, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have — we've got eight more debates. I'm going to have to do what other candidates do — which is, rudely interrupt; not answer the questions that are asked; and, hopefully, the debate moderators will actually ask more substantive questions as well. It's going fine.
CASEY HUNT (off-camera): Are you having any fun?
BUSH: Oh, yeah. You saw it. I had lots of fun.
JACKSON (on-camera): Expect to see a sharper Jeb Bush on the trail next week in Florida, as he looks to boost his standing to compete with Donald Trump and Ben Carson — still the front-runners, Lester, in that new online poll.
HOLT: Hallie Jackson in Iowa tonight, thank you.
10/30/2015
06:36 pm EDT
ABC — World News TonightDAVID MUIR: Turning now to the race for 2016 and new fallout tonight after that contentious debate — Republicans taking aim at the moderators, angry with the questions this week. Those fireworks, apparently, paying off. Dr. Ben Carson, his campaign saying they pulled in $2 million after taking on the media. Tonight, the Republican Party taking action too, suspending an upcoming debate.
Here's Jonathan Karl.
JONATHAN KARL (voice-over): Tonight, the Republican candidates revolt.
CHRIS CHRISTIE, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Even in New Jersey what you're doing is called rude. So—
KARL: Fuming over this week's debate on CNBC.
JOHN HARWOOD: Is this a comic book version of a presidential campaign?
DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE : No, it's not a comic book, and it's not a very nicely asked question the way you say that.
SENATOR TED CRUZ, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE : The questions that have asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don't trust the media.
CHRISTIE: We have $19 trillion in debt; we people out of work; we have ISIS and al-Qaeda attacking us — and we're talking about fantasy football? Can we stop? Can we stop?
KARL: Now, the chairman of the Republican Party is suspending plans for a February debate on CNBC's sister network, NBC — writing, 'CNBC's moderators engaged in a series of gotcha questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates.' NBC called it a 'disappointing development' — pledging to work with Republicans to address their concerns.
This is not the first time Republicans have complained. Who could forget Donald Trump's fury over the way he was treated in the first debate?
MEGYN KELLY (from Fox News Channel Republican presidential debate): You've called women you don't like fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals.
TRUMP: I've been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be based on the way you've treated me. But I wouldn't do that.
KARL: That debate, of course, on Fox News; and the next one will be on Fox Business — and tonight, Republicans say it will go on as scheduled.
MUIR (live): And Jon Karl with us here in New York tonight, and word of a big meeting among Republicans this weekend?
KARL: Yeah, representatives of all the campaigns — they all have demands: more control over the moderators. But, remember, this is a summit of enemies. They have different demands. For example, Ben Carson wants more candidates on the stage. Donald Trump wants fewer. He wants to cut out those with low poll numbers.
10/30/2015
06:41 pm EDT
CBS Evening NewsSCOTT PELLEY: Today, the Republican Party pulled out of a presidential debate that NBC News was scheduled to host in February. The GOP is angry about the way another NBC outlet, CNBC, handled this week's debate.
Here's Major Garrett.
MAJOR GARRETT (voice-over): In a letter from Republican [National] Committee Chairman Reince Priebus to NBC, Priebus said the network and its subsidiary, CNBC, conducted Wednesday's GOP debate 'in bad faith.' 'We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns,' the letter said. Priebus accused CNBC of ignoring a commitment to ask questions about the economy, and called the questions its moderators did ask — quote, 'inaccurate and offensive.'
CNBC has endured withering Republican criticism for the conduct of its moderators, typified by exchanges like this.
JOHN HARWOOD (from CNBC Republican presidential debate): What should we do?
CHRIS CHRISTIE, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What we should do is to be investing in all types of energy, John — all types of energy. I've laid out—
HARWOOD: Meaning government?
CHRISTIE: No, John. John, do you want me to answer, or do you want to answer? (unidentified man laughs off-camera) How are we going to do this? (audience cheers and applauds) Because — because, I got to tell you the truth — even in New Jersey, what you're doing is called rude.
GARRETT: NBC called the RNC's move 'disappointing;' but said it 'will work in good faith to revolve this matter with the Republican Party.'
GOP front-runners Ben Carson and Donald Trump have both called for new debate formats.
BEN CARSON, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What it's turned into is a 'gotcha.' That's silly.
DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (from campaign event): Maybe every moderator should show that they vote Republican. The questions were so nasty.
GARRETT (on-camera): Several Republicans campaigns, dissatisfied by the current debate format, will meet Sunday in Washington to discuss changes to future debates. Scott?
PELLEY: Major Garrett reporting for us tonight in the Washington newsroom — Major, thank you.
