Tonight's Tea Party Debates on CNN

CNN, Tea Party Express to Host First-Ever Tea Party Debate

CNN and the Tea Party Express, along with more than 100 local tea party groups from every state across the country, will team up Monday, September 12 to present a first-of-its-kind debate from the site of the 2012 Republican National Convention: Tampa, Florida. Eight Republican presidential contenders will face questions from moderator and lead political anchor Wolf Blitzer during the two-hour event, which will air live on CNN from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. from the Florida State Fairgrounds. The debate will focus on a wide-range of topics, including the role, size and scope of government, with a specific emphasis on issue number one to tea party members and all Americans: the economy.

In addition to questions from Blitzer, audience members inside the debate hall, made up in part by members from tea party groups in 31 states and the District of Columbia, will be invited to ask questions directly to the candidates. Questions will also be taken live from tea party members at debate watch parties in Phoenix, Ariz.; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Portsmouth, Virginia. Online, CNN will solicit questions via comments on CNNPolitics.com, the CNN Politics Facebook page, and by using the #CNNTeaParty hashtag on Twitter.

The following Republican candidates will participate in the debate: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

The debate will be broadcast live on CNN, CNN International, CNN.com, and CNN Radio. The debate will be available via live stream in the CNN Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android.

CNN.com
CNNPolitics.com will provide a series of stories for all things related to the CNN-Tea Party Republican Debate: the evolution of the tea party movement, its influence on the Republican Party, what’s at stake for the GOP hopefuls participating in the debate and more. On debate day, Monday, Sept. 12, CNNPolitics.com will dedicate its site to coverage of the debate, featuring profiles of the candidates and a behind-the-scenes look at event preparations.
On the day of the debate, the CNN Political Ticker will host a live, up-to-the-minute blog, including real-time comments from CNN’s political team. The page will also incorporate a social media live stream, integrating the conversation happening across CNN.com, Twitter and Facebook directly onto the Political Ticker.
Additionally, a new page for debate coverage, CNN.com/TeaPartyDebate, will be live on Friday, Sept. 9 and will feature a live video stream of the debate, plus related video.

PROGRAMMING:
CNN’s coverage surrounding the debates will be live and on location with The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer through Tuesday morning, featuring anchors Wolf Blitzer, John King, Don Lemon and Ali Velshi.


All times Eastern.

Monday, September 12
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (from Tampa)
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. John King, USA (from Tampa)
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. CNN-Tea Party Republican Debate (from Tampa)
10 p.m. – 11 p.m. Anderson Cooper 360 ° (from New York)
11 p.m. – 1 a.m. CNN-Tea Party Republican Debate (replay)
Tuesday, September 13

6 a.m. – 9 a.m. American Morning – with Ali Velshi (from Tampa)



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