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CNN Helps to Shape a Fiery Second GOP Debate

September 17, 2015 By Natalie Heinitz

The top eleven GOP presidential hopefuls met again Thursday night for a 180 minute long debate performance at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Before the debate even began, CNN helped set a new tone through their decision to alter their criteria for determining which candidates were included in the primary and secondary debates. Former Hewlett-Packard CEO, Carly Fiorina, benefited from this rule change, which made her the only female candidate on the stage and a fresh addition for audiences watching around the country.

Unlike the first debate, where the moderators themselves ended up in headline news, CNN moderators Jake Tapper, Hugh Hewitt and Dana Bash kept the fiery exchanges between the candidates themselves. Many questions were formatted to include criticisms candidates had previously made about each other, which provided ample opportunity for the politicians to bicker and spar.

Some of the evening’s biggest topics included foreign policy, tax hikes and drug policy. Senator Marco Rubio spoke with ease about foreign policy issues, along with Carly Fiorina, who as a Washington “outsider” contrasted herself against Donald Trump, whose blunder earlier this summer some thought showed his lack of foreign policy knowledge.

Donald Trump found himself in the crossfire for much of the first portion of the debate and refused to falter one his one-liner punches and bickering with fellow candidates. After Senator Rand Paul accused him of relying on personal attacks, The Donald responded, “I never attacked him on his look, and believe me, there’s plenty of subject matter right there.” He also told former Governor Jeb Bush he showed “more energy” during the debate, which followed his popular critique of the Florida politician that stole headlines much of the summer.

Despite his common, unpredictably remarks, Trump’s overall performance review is mixed. The Washington Post reports that while Fiorina stood out on the crowded debate, Trump nonetheless remains the center of attention. However, Buzzfeed writes that “Donald Trump did not appear fully in control.”

However, Trump did grab 18 minutes of talk-time during the evening. Bush closely followed with 17 minutes, trailed by Ben Carson and Fiorina with approximately 13 minutes. Scott Walker, who was an expected front-runner, spoke the least amount of time with 8 and a half minutes. Governor John Kasich allotted about 9 minutes for himself, however attempted to separate himself from the bickering pack by stating early on, “If I were sitting at home and watch thing back and forth, I’d be inclined to turn it off.”

CNN’s live stream of the debate attracted a record number of nearly one million viewers and the live television broadcast is expected to bring CNN its largest cable audience ever.

To read more about last night’s debate, read Politico’s six important takeaways and The New York Times’ opinion on the most significant moments.

The next primary debate will belong to the Democrats. Tune in to CNN on Tuesday, October 3rd when candidates will take the stage in Las Vegas.

Filed Under: 2016 election, News

Fox News Praised for Tough Questions in First GOP Debate, Candidates Vie for Attention on Crowded Stage

August 7, 2015 By Natalie Heinitz

Debate PicRepublican candidates gathered together Thursday night for a highly anticipated first debate of the primary season in Cleveland, Ohio. Fox News anchors hurled tough and ambitious questions to candidates with Donald Trump starting things off by refusing to commit to not launching a third party bid, possibly undermining the future Republican nominee.

Moderator Megyn Kelly set the evening’s tone by confronting Trump about his past misogynistic comments on women, to which he responded he didn’t “have time for total political correctness.” Kelly asked Governor Scott Walker whether he could win a general election while possessing viewpoints out of the mainstream on abortion. Moderator Bret Baier confronted Senator Rand Paul on why he is “so quick to blame” his own party on foreign policy, which later incited a heated exchange between him and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on phone data collection and national security.

“When you’re sitting in a subcommittee, just blowing hot air about this, you can say things like that,” Governor Christie fired at Senator Paul, who seconds later accused the governor for fundamentally misunderstanding the Bill of Rights and hugging President Obama. Christie looked presidential in his response that the hugs he remembered are with families who have lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks.

With such a crowded stage, fighting for time to speak was an inevitable factor. According to the Washington Post, the order of minutes spoken from most to least begins with Donald Trump at 10.31 minutes spoken, former Governor Jeb Bush with 8.47, Governor John Kasich with 6.56 minutes, former Governor Mike Huckabee with 6.50 minutes, and followed by Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, Governor Chris Christie, Governor Scott Walker, and Senator Rand Paul.

When addressed for the second time, Ben Carson stated, “Well, thank you, Megyn, I wasn’t sure I was going to get to talk again.”

Ohio Governor John Kasich, who barely squeaked into the debate reserved for the top 10 polled Republican candidates, refused to be buried and presented himself as a formidable challenger. Placed on the far right side of the stage, due to his last place polling, Governor Kasich spoke to a more moderate leaning compassionate conservative. He said he would love his daughters unconditionally, even if they were gay, and defended his decision to expand Medicare in his home state. “Everybody has a right to their God-given purpose.”

The debate wrapped up around 11 pm, after a series of concise and rehearsed closing statements from the candidates.

The “Happy Hour” debate, which consisted of the seven Republican candidates who did not make the top 10 cut, took place earlier at 5 pm. Carly Fiorina received praise for her performance from multiple experts in Politico Magazine.

The next Republican debate will be hosted by CNN and Salem Radio at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California on Wednesday, September 16. The first Democratic debate will be held on October 13 in Nevada, hosted by CNN.

Filed Under: 2016 election, Event Coverage, News, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cleveland, Fox News, Presidential Election 2016, Republican Presidential Debate 2015, RNC

Dems Announce Debate Schedule, Stepping on Tonight’s GOP Debate

August 6, 2015 By Natalie Heinitz

Hours away from the first Republican debate, the Democratic National Committee announced its long-awaited debate schedule for its own candidates, which will include six debates ranging from October to March.

CNN will host the first debate on October 13 in Nevada, one of the four early primary states. The second debate will take place in Iowa in early November with CBS News, The Des Moines Register and KCCI as hosts, which will be followed by a Christmas showdown in New Hampshire on December 19 by ABC News/WMUR.

NBC News and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute will host the fourth debate on January 17 in South Carolina. Tensions and excitement will be at a peak during this event, as it is the final debate before the state nomination season officially begins with the Iowa caucuses on February 1 and the New Hampshire primary on February 9. Finally, there will be two debates hosted sometime in February and March. One will be hosted by Univision and the Washington Post in Miami, Florida and the other in Wisconsin by PBS.

There are currently five Democratic candidates pursuing the nomination: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, former Virginia Senator Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee. However, the DNC welcomes any new candidate who wishes to enter the race, as long as they meet the criteria of receiving at least 1% in three national polls in the six weeks leading up to the debate.

The Weekly Standard reports that insurgent Governor Martin O’Malley is already complaining about the new schedule.

Filed Under: 2016 election, News

First Lady Michelle Obama gives White House State Dining Room a facelift

July 10, 2015 By Natalie Heinitz

First Lady Michelle Obama has redecorated the White House State Dining Room for the first time since the Clinton Administration. Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

First Lady Michelle Obama has redecorated the White House State Dining Room for the first time since the Clinton Administration. Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

The White House State Dining Room, the top destination for locals and dignitaries, has been redecorated by First Lady Michelle Obama for the first time since the Clinton administration.

The changes include new curtains, whose peacock blue and ecru stripes compliment the “Kailua” blue in the Obama state china service, both of which incorporate a Hawaiian feel from Obama’s home state. The new mahogany, custom-made chairs, however, take influence from President James Monroe’s chair selection for the East Room in 1818.

A new blue-green, custom-made rug was also acquired, which includes designs from the ceiling of the dining room in its intricately woven stitching. Installment on two new rugs, so they could be switched out for cleaning, began in 2012.

In total, the redecoration cost the privately funded White House Historical Association’s White House Endowment Trust $590,000. The Old Family Dining Room, which Michelle Obama redecorated earlier this year, cost $290,000 and now sports a more modern feel with abstract art and bold colors.

Read more about the State Dining Room’s redecoration on bigstory.ap.org.

Filed Under: The White House, Washington Insider, White House History Tagged With: First Lady, Michelle Obama, Redecoration, White House, White House State Dining Room

Miss America bakes at Dog Tag Bakery, Georgetown Cupcake co-founders share tips on success

July 7, 2015 By Natalie Heinitz

Georgetown Cupcake owners Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne and Miss America Kira Kazantsev stand with the second class of Dog Tag Bakery.

Georgetown Cupcake owners Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne and Miss America Kira Kazantsev stand with the second class of Dog Tag Bakery.

Kira Kazantsev, Miss America 2015, and Georgetown Cupcake owners Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne visited Dog Tag Bakery to speak to military veterans, in the second class of Dog Tag Bakery, about their experiences in personal branding and running a small business.

As Kira Kazantsev nears the end of her work on behalf of the Miss America Organization with the crowning of the 2016 Miss America on September 13, Kazantsev emphasized the importance of establishing a personal brand and utilizing personal skill sets to be a leader.  “Here I am at the end of my reign and I feel really, really proud of everything I’ve been able to do because I’ve stuck with who I am as a person, and who I am as a personal brand. When I carry forward as Kira, I’m going to be the woman who’s strong on women’s issues and is passionate about the military and will care more about giving back than about whatever I do in my personal career. So that’s what I’m selling,” Kazantsev said to her audience, initiating laughter. “But it’s true!”

Miss America Kira Kazantsev speaks to the second class of Dog Tag Bakery.

Miss America Kira Kazantsev speaks to the second class of Dog Tag Bakery.

Business professionals, sisters and co-founders of Georgetown Cupcake, Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, also spoke to the Dog Tag fellows about the challenges in creating, managing and growing a small business. “I think that is a constant issue for all business owners. How do you scale your business but maintain what makes it special? And for us the answer has been to stay in the weeds. No matter how big you grow, you need to be in the details, everyday,” Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne said.

These leadership experts spoke in the Dog Tag Bakery classroom on the second floor of Dog Tag Bakery, located in Georgetown, Washington DC. The Dog Tag Inc. program helps veterans transition back to civilian life through a business education program. By taking a series of business classes in the classroom space at Dog Tag Bakery, military veterans and spouses have the opportunity to receive their Certificate in Business Administration from Georgetown University to further capitalize on their acquired skill sets.

To donate to Dog Tag Inc, go to http://www.dogtaginc.org/make-a-donation/. Also make sure to visit Dog Tag Bakery to support our nation’s veterans.

Follow Miss America Kira Kazantsev and Georgetown Cupcake on Twitter @Miss America and @GTownCupcake.

Filed Under: Event Coverage, Miss America, Washington Insider Tagged With: Dog Tag Bakery, Dog Tag Inc, Georgetown Cupcake, Georgetown University, Katherine Kallinis Berman, Kira Kazantsev, military veterans, Miss America, Miss America Organization, Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne

President Obama delivers powerful eulogy for Charleston shooting victim

June 27, 2015 By Natalie Heinitz

President Barack Obama delivered an inspirational eulogy at the funeral of Reverend Clementa Pinckney, the North Carolina state senator and pastor who was one of nine black church-goers fatally shot in Charleston last week.

“By taking down that flag, we express God’s grace,” President Obama expressed to the thousands of mourners who joined in TD Arena. “For too long we were blind to the pain that the Confederate flag stirred in too many of our citizens.”

Former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, postponed a fundraiser in Philadelphia to be able to attend. She was the only presidential candidate in attendance.

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley traveled to Charleston on Wednesday to pay respects to the victims of the tragic shooting. Other candidates have called for the removal of the Confederate flag including South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Despite debate that has been sparked in the wake of the racially fueled attack, the flag continued to fly above the South Carolina state capitol even as Reverend Pinckney laid in state there earlier this week.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has also been outspoken for removal of the flag, is expected to announce his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination next week.

Filed Under: News

Hillary Comes to Virginia

June 23, 2015 By Natalie Heinitz

Hillary Clinton will headline the Democratic Party of Virginia’s annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner at George Mason University’s Patriot Center in Fairfax this coming Friday, June 26. This will be her first campaign stop in the state since announcing her presidential campaign.

The event, usually hosted in Richmond, will instead take place in the highly populated and diverse Northern Virginia. President Obama and the former Secretary of State both spoke at the dinner in 2008, days before Virginia Democrats sided with Obama for the February primary.

Clinton is moving into Virginia with momentum. According to a recent Wall Street Journal and NBC national poll, Clinton has a 60 point margin ahead of her closest Democratic opponent, Senator Bernie Sanders, and substantial leads against her Republican counterparts. The poll also showed that 92% of Democratic primary voters see themselves supporting her.

Virginia is an historically swing state. In both the 2008 and 2012 presidential general elections, however, the state voted blue for President Obama, while Virginia Democrats have not lost a statewide election since 2009.

George Mason University and its Patriot Center have hosted presidential hopefuls in the past. Former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee recently announced that he would seek the 2016 Democratic Party presidential nomination at George Mason University’s Arlington campus on June 3, 2015. In 2012, Former Governor and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney held a rally at the Patriot Center on the eve of the presidential general election. President Obama also chose the venue for a last chance rally before the controversial health care reform vote in 2010.

To purchase tickets, visit virginiademshrc.tumblr.com. For any questions or inquiries, email events@vademocrats.org. All funds will benefit the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Filed Under: Hillary Clinton Tagged With: 2016 Election, Democratic Nomination, Hillary Clinton, Presidential campaign, The Patriot Center, Virginia

About White House Correspondents Insider

Exploring “behind the scenes” of the most powerful reporters and editors in the world, the Washington press corps. We track the White House Correspondents’ weekend and all the activities around it from journalists and media companies to the White House and politicos. Tammy Haddad is Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of WHC Insider and she hosts the Washington Insider podcast.

White House Correspondents Insider is not affiliated with or approved by the White House Correspondents Association which is a registered trademark of the WHCA.

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