Debates: Major Mic Problems For CNN

CNN’s Democratic debate broadcast was plagued by repeated microphone problems both during and after the debate.

It became apparent in the first half, when Union Leader reporter Tom Fahey tried to ask a question. After the candidates said they couldn’t hear him, Fahey had to say “I’ll yell. I don’t think the mike is working.” Wolf Blitzer eventually read Fahey’s question.

Later, Fahey used a handheld mic. “Can you hear me now?,” he asked.

“I ran into Tom on the way out,” this blogger says. “We both were scratching our heads. How can you go live worldwide with the sound in disarray?”

The problems continued in the second half as WMUR anchor Jennifer Vaughn introed audience questions. “While candidates were still answering the previous question, we heard her talking with the audience members,” First Read notes.

Post-debate, open mics were still an issue — “like when Anderson Cooper was heard off-screen thanking someone for coming in the midst of a Larry King interview,” an e-mailer says…