The stage is set at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA for the second GOP debate of this cycle. The early debate, with four candidates, airs tomorrow from 6- 7:45 p.m. ET, followed by 15 minutes of analysis hosted by Anderson Cooper. The main event gets underway at 8 p.m. ET with the top 11 candidates. The backdrop is a retired Air Force One which served seven U.S. presidents between 1973 and 2001. As seen in this time lapse video, crews had to erect a platform over a Marine One helicopter that was used during the Johnson administration so cameras will capture the emblazoned Boeing 707 behind the candidates.
The Reagan Library has been the setting for previous GOP debates. During the last cycle NBC’s Brian Williams moderated a debate on Sept. 7 2011 which aired on MSNBC.
CNN’s Jake Tapper is moderating this time. Via Playbook, former CNN and MSNBC president Rick Kaplan suggests Tapper be on the lookout for this possible Trump line: “This is the second debate and the second time I’ve been mistreated by the host — except the last one is a whole lot better looking than you!”
This will be my view of the GOP candidates during Wednesday’s #CNNDebate pic.twitter.com/EGHlbiqAO4
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) September 15, 2015