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November 28, 2007

From the Control Room: A surreal experience

Posted: November 28th, 2007 09:40 PM ET

(CNN) – After weeks of working on the debate, it's almost surreal to see the candidates answering the questions my colleagues and I have each watched countless times. Until now, we've had to keep the final selections top secret, so it feels a bit strange writing about them.

It has been interesting to see if the candidates react the way we expected. The big moment so far, obviously, was the clash early on between former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani over immigration. We expected them to have a heated exchange, but the distinctly personal tone took us back a bit.

They haven't been the only ones to throw some jabs. Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas mixed it up over whether U.S. troops should be in Iraq. And the video that Fred Thompson's campaign submitted to CNN/YouTube was - no two ways about it - the first attack ad of this race.

As I finish writing this, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee just knocked one of our favorite questions out of the park. "The death penalty: What would Jesus do?" Huckabee's response: "Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office."

– AC360 Associate Producer Jack Gray

Filed under: Uncategorized

8 Comments | Permalink


Frank Virginia Beach VA		December 1st, 2007 2:20 am ET CNN is what's surreal, buddy.

Greg Meyer Clinton Indiana		November 29th, 2007 4:57 pm ET The questions asked sounded as if they came from the DNC handbook.

Keith Detweiler Marysville, PA		November 29th, 2007 10:34 am ET If you reviewed these questions countless times then the Dem plants must have been done with your knowledge and endorsement. CNN is hardly an unbiased, representative of the people, media outlet. I hope these U-tube debates are over. The fact is that their production level borders on juvenile.

Teresa Pack, AUGUSTA, GA		November 29th, 2007 9:13 am ET Why were you trying to push HUCKABEE. You let him have 3 times a many questions. Why? I don't think Jesus would not be happy with any of them!

m branton deland fl		November 29th, 2007 12:20 am ET so not answering the question is "knocking it out of the park" ? give me a break.

Anna NY,NY		November 29th, 2007 12:06 am ET What?! You mean to tell me that a whole team of people watched these questions, thought about it then selected them thinking that this is what people really want to hear about?! Shame on all of you, you do a great disservice to your fellow citizens. You should be embarrassed that this is the scope of your concern regarding the issues faced by our country. They shouldn’t thank you, they should fire you for incompetence.

Bob H., Prescott, AZ		November 28th, 2007 10:31 pm ET I would be interested in hearing what other answers were "out of the park."

Speed, South Bend, IN		November 28th, 2007 10:29 pm ET Thanks to you and your colleagues for all your work on this. This is the first 2008 debate I have been able to experience live online....I am VERY grateful !
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