CBS Makes Major Changes To Focus Of Dem Debate In Light Of Paris Attacks

Workers stand at the podiums on stage during final preparations for Saturday night's Democratic presidential debate between Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, ... Workers stand at the podiums on stage during final preparations for Saturday night's Democratic presidential debate between Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) MORE LESS
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After the deadliest attack on France since World War II stunned the country and the world late last night, CBS News executives made major changes to the emphasis of tonight’s second Democratic debate.

CBS News executive editor Steve Capus told The New York Times the team immediately started making moves to shift the debate’s focus when news of the attacks broke during a Friday night rehearsal. The event will now focus more on issues of national security, terrorism, and foreign relations, with questions that will address the Paris attacks.

Capus told the Times the network had planned questions for a different debate, but said “there is no question that the emphasis changed dramatically” after the attacks.

Capus also said it was important for the event to go on, saying “American leadership is put to the test” during international crises.

“The entire world is looking to the White House. These people are vying to take over this office,” he said.

The debate is scheduled to begin in Des Moines, Iowa at 9 p.m. ET. CBS has also planned a one-hour special report on Paris to air directly before the debate.

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  1. Avatar for bkmn bkmn says:

    Let me guess, this will be the response from all of the GOP - bomb the hell out of them. That is it. That is all they have. I expect the Democrats will have a much longer but wiser response - utilize intelligence to target strikes to prevent innocent casualties that will create the next version of ISIS, or the Taliban. Find ways to cut off their funding, for without money they can’t buy arms, travel easily to their next targets or bribe local officials. Less satisfying to the blood hungry right wingers but much smarter in the long run.

    Of course the right wingers refuse to believe that ISIS came out of the US’s bungled Iraq war but facts never matter to them. They are happy to go along with the neo-cons when something like this happens, damn the consequences.

  2. ISIS would like to extend their deepest gratitude to CBS for help making their PR dreams a reality. Said the group, “From our extremists to yours, we wish you all a very happy fear mongering”.

  3. Avatar for dorado dorado says:

    oh, i wish that the GOP debates were tonight, that would have been pure comedy gold.

  4. Avatar for chammy chammy says:

    “The entire world is looking to the White House. These people are vying to take over this office," he said.

    WTF does that mean?

  5. Avatar for whiteb whiteb says:

    Hillary’s night to shine!! She is the only expert on the stage or in the whole field with foreign policy chops!!

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