The Press Online: GOP presidential debates at 4, 7 p.m.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

GOP presidential debates at 4, 7 p.m.

The first debate(s) of the 2015-16 presidential race air today on Fox News.

Because of the depth of the Republican field – 17 candidates – Fox News is breaking up the debate in Cleveland, Ohio, into two rounds based the average number from the five most recent polls, with the top 10 candidates appearing in prime time. The seven others will debate at 4 p.m.

The two-hour prime time debate at 8 p.m. will feature in order of polling numbers:

Billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

The one-hour prime time debate at 4 p.m. will feature in order of polling numbers:

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Former New York Gov. George Pataki.
Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore.

Following is the schedule for future GOP debates and the news outlet hosting the event (some specific dates yet to be determined):

Sept. 16, 2015 | CNN
Oct. 28, 2015 | CNBC
November 2015 | Fox Business
Dec. 15, 2015 | CNN
January 2016 | Fox News
Feb. 6, 2016 | ABC
Feb. 13, 2016 | CBS
Feb. 26, 2016 | NBC
March 2016 | Fox News
March 10, 2016 | CNN

Kentucky's Primary Election Day is not until May 17, 2016. Only six states and the District of Columbia currently have their primaries scheduled for later than Kentucky's.