OFFICIAL

RNC Pulls Out of NBC Debate, Taps CNN

Third debate hosted by CNN.

The Republican National Committee officially canceled its partnership with NBC for the next primary debate, voting instead to have CNN host the event in Houston on Feb. 26. The committee voted Monday to replace NBC on a conference call after negotiations with the network failed, two sources familiar with the call told Politico. The RNC had initially suspended its partnership with NBC in October after several GOP candidates’ campaigns criticized CNBC’s debate performance. Though NBC won’t take part in the debate, the NBC-owned Telemundo will still co-present, according to CNN. The National Review, NBC’s original conservative-media partner, and Salem Communications, CNN’s conservative media partner, will also participate.