The Washington Examiner‘s Paul Bedard reports that the RNC is being pressured to have some of the 2016 primary debates by moderated by partisans like Fox News host Sean Hannity or radio juggernaut Rush Limbaugh, rather than journalists.
Miffed that their candidates were singled out for personal questions or CNN John King’s “This or That,” when he asked candidates quirky questions like “Elvis or Johnny Cash,” GOP insiders tell Secrets that they are considering other choices, even a heavyweight panel of radio bigs Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin.
They told Secrets that they are eager to bring in questioners who understand Republican policies and beliefs and who have the ability to get candidates to differentiate their positions on core conservative values.
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Politico’s Dylan Byers notes that a lot of DC insiders are very skeptical of the report. We would also note that if Fox News were granted a debate, it is likely they would push for journalists like Bret Baier or Chris Wallace to moderate, rather than Hannity.
The RNC meets tomorrow to decide on 2016 debates, including whether to keep NBC News and CNN out of the equation, due to their programs about Hillary Clinton.