Topic: Cnbc Debate

The Republican Party suspended its scheduled debate with NBC News and Telemundo following a widely criticized CNBC debate moderated by John Harwood. The GOP accused the moderators of asking "gotcha" questions designed to embarrass candidates. Media figures like Chuck Todd characterized the candidates' pushback as a "premeditated attack" on the press.

The hosts analyze the CNBC Republican primary debate, characterizing it as hilarious television due to the perceived incompetence and bias of moderators like John Harwood and Becky Quick. They note that the audience turned against the moderators, booing questions that were seen as personal attacks rather than substantive policy inquiries.

The impact of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision is debated, with a focus on how it affects both Republican and Democratic fundraising. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Ben Carson are negotiating with CNBC over the format and length of upcoming primary debates.

Texas Governor Rick Perry suffers a major memory lapse during a CNBC Republican primary debate. While attempting to list three government agencies he would abolish, he names the Department of Commerce and the Department of Education but fails to remember the third, eventually saying "Oops." The hosts laugh at the gaffe, noting it likely ended his viability as a candidate.

The hosts discuss the visual staging of the Republican debates, noting how candidates like Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, and Rick Perry are positioned to maximize conflict for television ratings. They compare the debates to "American Gladiators" or "Jeopardy" and criticize the inclusion of media personalities like Jim Cramer in the questioning process.

The first 2008 presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain is analyzed regarding its television production and technical execution. Observations include the varying signal delays between networks, C-SPAN's use of side-by-side reaction shots, and the illegibility of Obama's flag pin in high definition.