Journalists React To RNC Suspending NBC Debate Partnership

Political journalists responded critically to the Republican National Committee's decision to suspend their partnership with NBC News during the February 26 presidential debate, which was the only scheduled GOP debate with a Spanish-language media partner, NBC Universal's Telemundo.

RNC Suspends Partnership With NBC For Debate

RNC Chairman: “We Are Suspending The  Partnership With NBC News.” From a letter by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack:

I write to inform you that pending further discussion between the Republican National Committee (RNC) and our presidential campaigns, we are suspending the partnership with NBC News for the Republican primary debate at the University of Houston on February 26, 2016. 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. We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns. [GOP.com, 10/30/15]

NBC: “This Is A Disappointing Development.”

[10/30/15]

Journalists React To Suspension

NY Times' Jonathan Martin: “Damage Control: RNC Tries To Keep Heat Off Them, On Nets.”

[10/30/15]

Wall Street Journal's Reid Epstein: “RNC In Crisis Mode.”

[10/30/15]

NPR's Domenico Montanaro: Suspended Debate “Is The Only One They Have With A Hispanic Co-Sponsor - Telemundo.”

[10/30/15]

Huffington Posts' Amanda Terkel: “Why Don't Other Media Outlets Doing GOP Debates Come Together And Refuse To Hold Theirs [Because] Of This?”

[10/30/15]

Real Clear Politics' Rebecca Berg: “Seems Harsh.”

[10/30/15]

Politico's Steven Shepard: “All Three Networks Ran Debates That Prioritized Conflict Over Respectful Contrast.”

[10/30/15]

Washington Post's Greg Sargent: “Do They Really Think Their Voters Are This Moronic?”

[10/30/15]

Sargent: “RNC Just Pulled Out Of The Only Debate That Has A Spanish-Language Partner.”

[10/30/15]

Huffington Post's Sam Stein: “Would Be Nice To See Media Outlets Band Together On This And Call BS.”

[10/30/15]