Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Face Off for CNN’s Las Vegas Debate

CNN Pressroom - Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brown, John Roberts, Nevada Voters Question Democrats

As Democratic presidential candidates ratchet up the intensity of their campaigns, CNN and the Nevada Democratic Party will gather the leading hopefuls for a face-off in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. (ET)/5 p.m. (PT). The Democratic National Committee-sanctioned debate, moderated by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, will be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

For the first hour, candidates will address questions from Blitzer and CNN anchors John Roberts and Campbell Brown, in her debut assignment for CNN. In the second and final hour, candidates will respond to questions from an audience made up of more than 100 undecided registered voters. White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux will facilitate audience participation.

This debate has the distinction of being the first-ever U.S. presidential debate to air live in a high-definition (HD) format. It will be broadcast live on CNN HD and in standard-definition formats on CNN/U.S., CNN International, Headline News, CNN Radio, CNN Airport Network and CNN en Español. The debate also will be streamed on CNN.com Live and will be available after the debate through CNN.com’s on-demand video service.

CNN will continue its policy of making all debate footage from the 2008 election cycle available without restriction upon the conclusion of each debate.

Additionally, CNN will air intensive and in-depth political coverage live from Las Vegas surrounding the debate. Programming highlights include:



Wednesday, Nov. 14

4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer live on location in Las Vegas

7 p.m.-8 p.m. Lou Dobbs Tonight with anchor Lou Dobbs live on location in Las Vegas



Thursday, Nov. 15

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts live on location in Las Vegas

4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Situation Room with Blitzer live on location in Las Vegas

7 p.m.-8 p.m. Lou Dobbs Tonight with Dobbs live on location in Las Vegas

8 p.m.-10 p.m. CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Primary Debate

10 p.m.-11 p.m. Special Anderson Cooper 360º post-debate program anchored by Anderson Cooper and featuring Blitzer, Roberts and Campbell Brown live on location in Las Vegas

11p.m.-1 a.m. Replay of CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Primary Debate



Friday, Nov. 16

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with Roberts live on location in Las Vegas



CNN’s Emmy Award-winning political team will provide reports for CNN’s numerous networks and services: Dana Bash, congressional correspondent; Candy Crowley, senior political correspondent; Gloria Borger, senior political analyst; Ed Henry, White House correspondent; Joe Johns, correspondent; John King, chief national correspondent; Elaine Quijano, White House correspondent; Bill Schneider, senior political analyst; and Jessica Yellin, congressional correspondent. Political contributors will include Paul Begala, Bill Bennett, Donna Brazile, James Carville, Amy Holmes and J.C. Watts.

CNN.com will stream live coverage of the debate, as well as post-debate responses and commentary. The site also will offer on-demand video as well as an “All Access” podcast showing behind-the-scenes footage of the presidential debates. CNN’s top political producers and reporters will offer behind-the-scenes tidbits, immediate reflections and on-the-spot analysis on CNNPolitics.com and at the CNN Political Ticker (www.CNN.com/ticker).

CNN Radio will provide live anchored coverage of the debate with Jim Roope and Lisa Desjardins anchoring from Las Vegas. CNN Newsource will provide its affiliates access to reports and live shots on-site correspondents, Samantha Hayes.

CNN Student News will present the news of these debates and free classroom materials that help to tie these

political events to the textbook. Teachers, parents and students can find the CNN Student News program and its curriculum materials online at www.CNNStudentNews.com and on Headline News from Monday through Friday at 4:00 a.m. (ET)

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.