CNN to hold a Democratic Town Hall week before Iowa

[HerbChestnut]

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/20/politics/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-martin-omalley-town-hall/index.html

Washington (CNN)The Democratic presidential hopefuls will face voters in a CNN town hall on Monday in Des Moines -- one week before the highly anticipated Iowa caucuses.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will field questions from Iowa Democrats in this prime-time event hosted by the Iowa Democratic Party and Drake University.

"We are honored to partner with CNN on their town hall with our three fantastic Democratic candidates," said Dr. Andy McGuire, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. "With this event airing just one week before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, it's an incredible opportunity for Iowans to see our candidates detail their plans to move our country forward and their vision for Iowa and the nation."

The town hall, which will be moderated by CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, will air from 9 p.m.-11 p.m. ET, the network announced. A CNN spokesperson added that it will make the town hall available to its Iowa affiliates to air live.

Note that this is not a debate. It's more of a forum where audience members will be able to ask the candidates questions. It seems the DWS and the DNC are a little nervous about Hillary's position heading into the Iowa caucuses and have now given her an opportunity to make up ground.

[kenfrequed]

1. Town halls are sort of a mixed bag

They practically invite all the political campaigns to throw in their own plants, the opposite party to put their talking points into the debate, and also the loudest and craziest nutballs to try to take the microphone.

It might actually be good viewing though since for most people economic issues are going to take center stage.

[Skwmom]

8. The corporate media wants their soundbites they can use (and not in a good way). n/t

[emulatorloo]

2. Excellent!

[kenn3d]

3. Sorry Debbie... epic fail.

Too little, too late.

I'm sure Iowans and all the candidates will appreciate an opportunity to discuss the important issues in this election one more time before the caucuses, but...

The lame efforts of the DNC establishment to promote the coronation of Hillary Clinton have failed... failed Debbie, failed Hillary, failed the party, failed everybody.

[KoKo]

4. CNN's Chris Cuomo? Bad choice. n/t

[JonLeibowitz]

12. I rather like him. What is wrong with him?

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. I just hope the audience isn't stacked for HRH. It is corrupt, corporate owned CNN.

This is my favorite format. Real voters asking real questions...if the deck isn't stacked for one candidate or another. Bernie is GREAT at town halls!

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

[Robbins]

6. I have bad feeling

they will have bernie on first and her last so he can't respond to her attacks.

Funny how now she is willing to talk to regular voters.

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. Yep.

She'll most likely get the last word. If she doesn't, I'll be shocked.

If they played fair, they would draw straws, but nothing in this election, to date, has been fair. CNN is doing it, so I expect EVERYTHING to favor HRH.

Though Bernie is very, very good in this format. He's very warm, congenial, personable and engaging. He's great in a one-on-one situation....from what I've witnessed from his Vermont town halls I've watched.

I think Cali said she has attended his Town Halls, maybe she'll chime in with a different/better perspective since she's attended them personally.

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

[Skwmom]

7. Well plants vs biasd moderators.....

[kenfrequed]

11. Just cross your fingers

That it isn't Wolff frigging Blitzer. That guy is a creep that lets crazy people talk constantly.

Unless he is hogging the microphone himself. The conceited bastard frequently ate more time than the candidates in the run up to 2008.

[Armstead]

10. That's ridiculous. Why not just put them all up together?

[JonLeibowitz]

13. Because then they might debate their ideas, and we saw how that turned out on Sunday. n/t

[Skwmom]

14. Because then they'd have the chance to respond to b.s. n/t