Having been among the first to call for changing the debate format, Ben Carson’s campaign is on board with the Republican National Committee’s decision to suspend NBC’s involvement in the Feb. 26 debate.
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Deana Bass, a Carson spokesperson, said that the campaign has “no objections” to the Friday decision announced by RNC chairman Reince Priebus, who said that while the February debate will move forward as planned, NBC will not play a part.
“We have no objections to it,” Bass said of the RNC’s decision. “The debates must focus on American voters and not network ratings.”
Carson began the calls for changes to the debate format Thursday morning, telling reporters that his team would begin reaching out to other campaigns about any such changes.
“I’ve asked my staff to reach out to the other campaigns to talk about a change in format,” Carson said. “And we’re looking for an opportunity to actually be able to explain what your program is, what your philosophy for leadership is, and then be questioned about it.”
In the letter, the RNC told NBC that the CNBC debate on Wednesday was “conducted in bad faith,” and that the RNC needs “to ensure there is not a repeat performance” in February.
“The RNC’s sole role in the primary debate process is to ensure that our candidates are given a full and fair opportunity to lay out their vision for America’s future,” Priebus told NBC News chairman Andy Lack in the letter. “We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns.”
“The CNBC network is one of your media properties, and its handling of the debate was conducted in bad faith,” Priebus said. “We understand that NBC does not exercise full editorial control over CNBC’s journalistic approach. However, the network is an arm of your organization, and we need to ensure there is not a repeat performance.”
Priebus added that National Review, the conservative magazine set to partner with NBC, will remain a part of the February debate.
