CNN's Yellin to Dem debate moderator Blitzer: “It looks like you're going to have to be the grownup”

Written by Brian Levy

Published

During the January 31 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, discussing former Sen. John Edwards' (D-NC) announcement that he is suspending his Democratic presidential campaign and the then-upcoming debate between the remaining candidates, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) and Barack Obama (IL), CNN Capitol Hill correspondent Jessica Yellin remarked to host Wolf Blitzer, the debate's moderator: "[W]ith John Edwards out, it's a brand new dynamic. That means that the so-called 'grownup' in the race is gone. It looks like you're going to have to be the grownup that'll keep these two from going at each other all night." Blitzer replied: “I don't know if I'll be ... necessarily the grownup -- but we want this to be a debate.”

Later on the program, Yellin similarly stated: “And the dynamic is all different now, Wolf, because John Edwards is out. He called himself the 'adult wing of the Democratic Party.' So, I guess with him gone, you'll have to represent the adults.” Blitzer replied: “Well, I'll do the best I can.”

From the January 31 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:

YELLIN: And, Wolf, with the -- with John Edwards out, it's a brand new dynamic. That means that the so-called “grownup” in the race is gone. It looks like you're going to have to be the grownup that'll keep these two from going at each other all night.

BLITZER: I don't know if I'll be the -- necessarily the grownup -- but we want this to be a debate. That's what it is. This will be the first time these two candidates are meeting one-on-one, head-to-head. So, we'll let them debate. And obviously, we're hoping it's going to be civil -- I'm sure it will. They've been practicing. I guess they've been going through potential questions. They normally do this with their top advisers.

YELLIN: Absolutely. These two people know that this is as high stakes as it gets, and they are prepared to take on all sorts of questions.

[...]

YELLIN: Now, someone inside the Obama camp says it is very different prepping the candidate for a one-on-one debate. And the dynamic is all different now, Wolf, because John Edwards is out. He called himself the “adult wing of the Democratic Party.” So, I guess with him gone, you'll have to represent the adults.

BLITZER: Well, I'll do the best I can. Thanks very much, Jessica, for that.