CNN’s VP Debate Coverage to Feature Focus Group, Time Clock

With multiple networks carrying the same programming tomorrow night — the one and only Vice Presidential debate — CNN has decided to feature real-time feedback from a focus group in Virginia, and a running time clock that tracks each candidate’s speaking time which will be added up to determine the time spent on the issues.

CNN’s “Debate Night in America” kicks off at 7pmET with Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and John King leading coverage. Soledad O’Brien is inside the debate hall in Kentucky and Candy Crowley, moderator of next Tuesday’s second presidential debate, will join in for coverage along with some of the other BPTOT (are we still using that term?)

And, oh yes, there will be fact checking.

More in the release from CNN after the jump…

CNN’s VP Debate Coverage to Feature Fact Checks, Focus Group, Time Clock
Rep. Paul Ryan Spoke with Dana Bash in a National Exclusive about Debate Prep

CNN will air the debate between Vice President Biden and Rep. Ryan on Oct. 11, with special coverage beginning at 7 p.m. In Washington, Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and John King, will lead the network’s coverage with Soledad O’Brien inside the debate hall in Kentucky and Erin Burnett live from Old Dominion University in Virginia, where she will be joined by a group of undecided voters. Oct. 16 presidential debate moderator Candy Crowley will join the network’s coverage from Washington to provide insight as to what she’ll be listening for during the debate.
‘Debate Night in America’ coverage will include senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash’s national exclusive interview with Romney running mate Rep. Paul Ryan, who spoke about his debate preparation and White House correspondent Brianna Keilar’s exclusive interview with Beau Biden. On hand throughout the evening’s coverage to provide expert analysis will be chief political analyst Gloria Borger and senior political analyst David Gergen, in addition to CNN contributors Paul Begala, Alex Castellanos, Van Jones and Mary Matalin.
During the presidential debate, the network will feature: real-time feedback from CNN’s focus group in Virginia; and a running time clock that tracks each candidate’s speaking time and will tally time spent on major issues at the end of the debate. The post-debate coverage will feature political fact checks from the “reality check” team of anchor John Berman and correspondent Tom Foreman from the network’s virtual studio. In addition, during the 11 p.m. hour, CNN and ORC International will reveal the results of a poll of viewers across the country who watched the debate.
Chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin and national political correspondent Jim Acosta will report from the debate and bring viewers instant reaction from the Spin Room upon conclusion of the debate. Keilar will report from the debate site leading up to the evening’s face-off.
CNN will provide unrestricted access to the network’s presidential debate programming through CNN.com and via CNN’s apps for iPhone and iPad. Additionally, Web users can become video editors with the new clip-and-share feature that allows them to share favorite debate moments on Facebook.