• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Politics

New Rules for Next Democratic Debate: No 1-Word Answers or Show of Hands

By
David Bauder
David Bauder
and
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Bauder
David Bauder
and
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 29, 2019, 3:42 PM ET

During the first Democratic presidential debate, NBC thought it could get candidates to answer a question with a simple “yes” or “no.”

No chance. They’re politicians, remember? For the second debate, CNN promises not to call for one-word answers or ask any questions that require a show of hands.

Those are among the changes that CNN will bring to the sessions, which match 10 candidates each night on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dana Bash, Don Lemon and Jake Tapper will moderate.

CNN faces a challenge in trying to match the strong ratings NBC News had in June.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—Detroit happily steps into role of political HQ as Democrats gather for debate

—How to watch round two of the Democratic debates for free—even without

—Abortion, reparations, Israel:Topics to watch for during the second Democratic debate

—Warren-Sanders match, battle for spotlight among lesser-knownspredicted for tonight’s Democratic debate

—Trump says he’ll be watching second Democratic debate tonight

—Biden surges in new poll ahead of second Democratic debate

About the Authors
By David Bauder
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By The Associated Press
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

President Donald Trump attends a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC on December 2, 2025.
Economynational debt
Two months into the new fiscal year and the U.S. government is already spending more than $10 billion a week servicing national debt
By Eleanor PringleDecember 4, 2025
22 minutes ago
Isaacman
PoliticsNASA
Billionaire spacewalker pleads his case to lead NASA, again, in Senate hearing
By Marcia Dunn and The Associated PressDecember 3, 2025
17 hours ago
Hegseth
PoliticsWhite House
As Democrats cry ‘war crimes,’ Hegseth claims ‘fog of war’ over Latin America boat strikes
By Stephen Groves, Nick Lichtenberg, Lisa Mascaro and The Associated PressDecember 3, 2025
17 hours ago
Trump
PoliticsWhite House
Trump insists ‘Trump is sharp’ despite cabinet meeting appearing to show him struggling to stay awake
By Will Weissert, Michelle L. Price and The Associated PressDecember 3, 2025
18 hours ago
Bessent
BankingFederal Reserve
‘We’re going to veto them’: Bessent backs new rules to give White House more power over Federal Reserve
By Christopher Rugaber and The Associated PressDecember 3, 2025
18 hours ago
Bessent
Economyphilanthropy
Scott Bessent calls the Giving Pledge well-intentioned but ‘very amorphous,’ growing from ‘a panic among the billionaire class’
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 3, 2025
18 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
North America
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos commit $102.5 million to organizations combating homelessness across the U.S.: ‘This is just the beginning’
By Sydney LakeDecember 2, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Ford workers told their CEO 'none of the young people want to work here.' So Jim Farley took a page out of the founder's playbook
By Sasha RogelbergNovember 28, 2025
6 days ago
placeholder alt text
North America
Anonymous $50 million donation helps cover the next 50 years of tuition for medical lab science students at University of Washington
By The Associated PressDecember 2, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
C-Suite
MacKenzie Scott's $19 billion donations have turned philanthropy on its head—why her style of giving actually works
By Sydney LakeDecember 2, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Innovation
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says we’re just a decade away from a new normal of extraterrestrial data centers
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 1, 2025
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Scott Bessent calls the Giving Pledge well-intentioned but ‘very amorphous,’ growing from ‘a panic among the billionaire class’
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 3, 2025
18 hours ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.