It is no surprise that the CNN Brooklyn Democratic debate that was characterized by sloppy moderators, frustrated candidates, and a ton of rehashed material only drew 5.6 million viewers.
According to TVNewser, “5.6 million watched Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders debate in Brooklyn last night. Among the adults 25-54 demo, 1.798 million watched. The debate, which aired on CNN, was the third least-watched of this cycle.”
None of the last three Democratic debates have gotten more than six million viewers. If there was one consensus thought coming out of the CNN debate it was that everyone is tired. The candidates had little new to say, and mostly stuck to their standard talking points and stump speeches. Unless someone had not been following the 2016 Democratic primary, they would have learned nothing new about the candidates.
Much of the problem was caused by CNN’s usual willingness to try to stir up controversy instead of discussing the issues. In previous debates, Clinton and Sanders wouldn’t give the media what they wanted, but in Brooklyn, the candidates talked over each other, made mountains of policy differences that are molehills, and generally turned off Democrats who had been proud of the civil nature of previous debates.
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Democratic viewers have spoken, and with Hillary Clinton looking firmly in control of the New York primary, it is probably time to put an end to the debates. For the first time, it can be argued that Democratic voters weren’t well served by one of the party’s presidential debates. Brooklyn was a good venting session for the two candidates, but with more and more Democrats wanting to look towards November, the ratings suggest that it is time to give viewers a break and stop the endless cycle of town halls and debates.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
