CNN Town Halls & Debates

GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley is participating in a live CNN town hall in New Hampshire with just days until the state’s pivotal 2024 primary contest. Haley will be fielding questions from moderator Jake Tapper and an audience of New Hampshire voters who say they intend to vote in the state’s GOP primary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Moderated by Wolf Blitzer, 2024 presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis takes questions from audience members at a CNN town hall.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just five days before the Iowa caucuses, a make-or-break debate night for Republican presidential hopefuls Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis. Post debate analysis moderated by Anderson Cooper, Abby Phillip, and Kaitlan Collins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Days before the Iowa caucuses, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley face off live from Des Moines, Iowa. Jake Tapper and Dana Bash moderate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Anchor Erin Burnett moderates a live Republican Presidential Town Hall with Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley from Des Moines, Iowa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins moderates a live Republican Presidential Town Hall with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis from Des Moines, Iowa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Abby Phillip anchors the CNN Town Hall with 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jake Tapper anchors the CNN Town Hall with Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anderson Cooper and Dana Bash anchor live special coverage and analysis of the third Republican presidential debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anderson Cooper and Dana Bash anchor live special coverage and analysis of the second Republican presidential debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After eight hopefuls try to distinguish themselves from one another in the first Republican presidential debate of their 2024 campaigns, Anderson Cooper and Dana Bash host a special post-debate show. Dana speaks with four of the candidates live from Milwaukee, while Anderson is joined in the studio by CNN’s team of political analysts, commentators, fact checkers, and veterans of the same kind of verbal clashes seen on the debate stage tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper moderates a CNN Republican Presidential Town Hall with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie from New York. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash moderates a CNN Republican Presidential Town Hall with former Vice President Mike Pence, live from Des Moines, Iowa. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper moderates a live CNN Republican Presidential Town Hall with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley from Iowa. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the 2024 presidential election underway, former President Donald Trump took questions from moderator Kaitlan Collins and a live audience during a CNN Town Hall from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. Aired at 8 p.m E.T. on May 10, 2023. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special event, CNN's Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta host a global town hall with Dr. Anthony Fauci about Covid-19 vaccines. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Less than two weeks from Election Day, Joe Biden and Donald Trump appear onstage for the final general election presidential debate of 2020. NBC's Kristen Welker moderates.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kamala Harris and Mike Pence face off in the first and only general election vice presidential debate of 2020, Susan Page of USA Today moderates.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democratic nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump face off in the first general election presidential debate of 2020, Chris Wallace of Fox News moderates. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden answers questions from Pennsylvania voters during CNN’s first political drive-in town hall of the 2020 presidential election, moderated by Anderson Cooper. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mayors Who Matter features Mayors Muriel Bowser of Washington, Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta, Lori Lightfoot of Chicago and London Breed of San Francisco. CNN's Laura Coates moderates the discussion addressing the death of George Floyd and the ensuing nationwide unrest, police reforms and the novel coronavirus pandemic. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special event, CNN anchor Don Lemon underscores the many challenges that exist for black men living in the United States. The special features interviews with Stephen Jackson, former NBA player and friend of George Floyd, Rev. Bernice King, film director Spike Lee and more. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republican debate: Marco Rubio swings at Donald Trump. Marco Rubio was on fire Thursday night. For weeks, he's resisted taking on Donald Trump, who has eviscerated other Republicans who threatened his status as the front-runner. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republican debate: Marco Rubio swings at Donald Trump. Marco Rubio was on fire Thursday night. For weeks, he's resisted taking on Donald Trump, who has eviscerated other Republicans who threatened his status as the front-runner. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN town hall: Clinton, Sanders make pitch to minority voters. Clinton is counting on a strong showing in Southern states likely to showcase her dominance among African-American voters, putting the onus on Sanders to try to broaden his support or face falling behind. The Vermont senator clearly appreciates the urgency and is taking an increasingly tough line against the former secretary of state. He opened the town hall by reiterating his call for Clinton to release transcripts of paid speeches that she made to Wall Street banks after she left the State Department. "I am happy to release all of my paid speeches to Wall Street -- here it is," Sanders said, with a wave of his hands. "There ain't none." Clinton, who appeared on stage after Sanders, sidestepped questions about the senator's call for her to release her speeches. "If everybody does it, and that includes the Republicans -- because we know they have made a lot of speeches," Clinton said. She said the real issue was about who had the best plan to crack down on Wall Street.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN town hall: Sanders slams 'racist' GOP efforts. Bernie Sanders accused Donald Trump and others of fomenting a "racist effort" to delegitimize President Barack Obama, four days ahead of the South Carolina Democratic primary in which African-American voters will play a crucial role. In a CNN town hall meeting Tuesday in Columbia, South Carolina, Sanders portrayed the "birther" controversy that Trump pushed during Obama's first term as part of a Republican strategy to thwart his presidency, based on the mantra "obstruct, obstruct, obstruct." "We have been dealing in the last seven years with an unprecedented level of obstructionism against President Obama," Sanders said. Sanders has been criticized by rival Hillary Clinton in recent debates and town halls for not being sufficiently supportive of the President, who remains popular among many Democrats, especially African-Americans. Sanders is under pressure to improve his standing among minorities before South Carolina's primary and the string of Southern contests that follow on March 1, which could tilt the momentum of the Democratic White House race toward Clinton. Clinton is counting on a strong showing in Southern states likely to showcase her dominance among African-American voters, putting the onus on Sanders to try to broaden his support or face falling behind. The Vermont senator clearly appreciates the urgency and is taking an increasingly tough line against the former secretary of state. He opened the town hall by reiterating his call for Clinton to release transcripts of paid speeches that she made to Wall Street banks after she left the State Department. "I am happy to release all of my paid speeches to Wall Street -- here it is," Sanders said, with a wave of his hands. "There ain't none."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump challenged over claim that Bush lied about Iraq. Donald Trump challenged over 9/11, Iraq War comments. Donald Trump acknowledged Thursday that he "could have" signaled support for invading Iraq during a 2002 interview with Howard Stern. "It was probably the first time I was asked that question," the GOP presidential front-runner told CNN's Anderson Cooper during a South Carolina town hall. "By the time the war started, I was against the war." He also noted he "wasn't a politician" at the time of the interview. Ahead of Saturday's South Carolina Republican primary, Trump has repeatedly blasted former President George W. Bush for launching the war. But Buzzfeed posted Trump's interview with Stern earlier Thursday evening. When asked whether he would support an invasion, Trump responded: "Yeah, I guess so." Trump's criticism of the war could be a risky move in this miliatry-dominated state. One man in the audience confronted Trump for saying that Bush had lied about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Trump on Thursday was pressed several times -- both by the questioner and Cooper -- to clarify whether he believes or would again state that Bush had lied about the issue. Trump danced around the question, finally saying, "I don't know what he did." "I would probably say that something was going on," Trump said. "I don't know why he went in" to Iraq. Trump vs. Pope Francis Trump called Pope Francis a "wonderful guy" after the pontiff said Thursday that the GOP presidential front-runner is "not Christian" if he wants to deport undocumented immigrants and build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. "I don't think this is a fight," Trump said. "I think he said something much softer than was originally reported by the media." Trump added he would meet with the Pope "anytime he wants." Earlier at the town hall, Jeb Bush and John Kasich refused to be drawn into the debate between Trump and the Pope. Kasich simply said he was "pro-Pope." "This man has brought more sense of hope and more about the do's in life than the don'ts," Kasich said, referring to the Pope. "This guy has been so humble." Bush, who is a devout Catholic, didn't criticize the Pope's comments. But he said he personally wouldn't "question people's Christianity." "I think that's a relationship they have with their Lord and savior and themselves. So I just don't think it's appropriate to question Donald Trump's faith," Bush said. "He knows what his faith is." Trump, who is dominating most South Carolina polls, continued to pound his closest competitor: Ted Cruz. The billionaire businessman said the Texas senator "has a problem with the truth." Trump appeared to side with Marco Rubio after the Florida senator's campaign accused Cruz's team earlier Thursday of photoshopping an image to make it appear as though Rubio is shaking hands with President Barack Obama. "Oh, it was totally photoshopped," Trump said. "They even made Marco a lot shorter than he is," Trump said, adding that this was "probably the thing that bothered him the most." He quipped that other tactics the Cruz campaign has used in this election were "disgusting." Trump has confounded many political observers with his propensity for colorful, unfiltered and inflammatory language as a candidate. When Cooper asked whether he would take on a different tone as president, Trump suggested he could easily switch back and forth between being politically correct -- and not. "I can be more politically correct than anybody you've ever interviewed," Trump said. He added: "I can do whatever I want. . . I deal with society. Society loves me."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeb Bush avoids Trump's Pope fight. Bush, who is a devout Catholic, didn't criticize the Pope's comments. But he said he personally wouldn't "question people's Christianity." "I think that's a relationship they have with their Lord and savior and themselves. So I just don't think it's appropriate to question Donald Trump's faith," Bush said. "He knows what his faith is." Trump will appear at the town hall later in the evening. At a rally earlier in the day on Kiawah Island, he said the Pope's statement was "disgraceful." Bush shrugged off South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's decision this week to endorse his rival, Marco Rubio. "I'm marking her down as neutral," Bush quipped. Pressed by Cooper on how he can still convince voters here that he has momentum, Bush insisted that the momentum is there. "I do have momentum if you look at the polls and if you look at the crowd sizes of our town hall meetings," Bush said. He pointed to the endorsement he won from South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham as a sign of his readiness to be president. "He could have supported two of his colleagues, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio," Bush said. "He chose me because he believes that I would be ready to serve on day one as commander in chief and as leader of the free world." A University of South Carolina student told Bush that it seemed to him marijuana was one of the most frequently used drugs on campus, and asked the ex-governor for his stance on legalization. Bush said he took issue with the term "recreational drug." "The terminology is probably a little misleading," Bush said, "because of the potency of this generation of marijuana. It has major impacts -- neurological impacts." He briefly mentioned his daughter's struggles with addiction, and said he believes the government should "focus a little bit more on treatment and a little less on punishment" of individuals convicted on drug-related charges. One of the more personally revealing moments for Bush came when a questioner asked him to describe how his wife, Columba, has shaped him as a leader. Bush turned to his wife, who was sitting in the audience next to former first lady Barbara Bush, and said, "Sweetie, this is going to be your anniversary present." He recalled meeting his wife as a young man in Mexico. "Five o'clock. I can remember exactly where I was on the town square. I can remember exactly what she looked like to this day," Bush said. The experience of falling for Columba -- "the most beautiful girl I had ever met in my life" -- Bush said, was like being hit with a "lightening bolt."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Kasich at CNN town hall: I'm 'pro-Pope'. John Kasich refused to be drawn into the war of words between Donald Trump and Pope Francis on Thursday. At CNN's South Carolina Republican town hall, Kasich simply said he was "pro-Pope." The Ohio governor was responding to a question about comments in which Francis said Trump is "not Christian" if he wants to deport undocumented immigrants and build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. "This man has brought more sense of hope and more about the do's in life than the don'ts," Kasich said. "This guy has been so humble." Trump will appear at the town hall later in the evening. At a rally earlier in the day at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, he said the Pope's statement was "disgraceful." Kasich opened the CNN event by reflecting on a campaign trail moment that's quickly gone viral. At a forum in Clemson earlier in the day, a tearful young man confessed to Kasich that after suffering personal losses, he had gone through a very dark period in life. Now, he had found hope in the message that Kasich was taking to voters, he said, prompting the governor to hug the man. "There are a lot of people out there who are lonely," Kasich told moderator Anderson Cooper. "Could you believe that young man?" He expressed frustration with the frenetic pace of presidential politics and noted how important it is to "slow down" and listen to people in need. "We've got to slow down," Kasich told Cooper. "You've got to celebrate other people's wins, and sometimes you've got to sit with them and cry." Kasich is coming off a strong second-place showing in New Hampshire last week, but with his moderate message, there is little expectation that he will have a strong performance here during Saturday's GOP primary. When one woman in the audience asked whether he would consider appointing any of his fellow White House hopefuls to his Cabinet, Kasich light-heartedly reminded her that it was much too early in the race. "Well, look. I'm not going to be measuring like, the drapes. I've got a long way to go. We're really, really early," Kasich said. He did, however, call one former candidate a "terrific guy" who he would consider appointing to his administration: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. "I like him very much," Kasich said, before saying about the rest of the field: "They all deserve an awful lot of respect. I don't want to fight with them." Jeb Bush will also attend the town hall this evening. The former Florida governor is campaigning hard for a strong showing in this state, bringing both his brother and mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, out on the campaign trail this week. The town hall comes as Trump continues to hold a sizable lead in South Carolina. A new CNN/ORC poll released this week had the real-estate mogul on top at 38-percent, followed by Cruz at 22-percent, Marco Rubio at 14-percent and Jeb Bush at 10-percent. Ben Carson and Kasich were at the bottom of the pack, at 6-percent and 4-percent, respectively. Cruz, Rubio and Carson participated in CNN's first South Carolina town hall Wednesday in Greenville. At that event, Rubio once again accused Cruz of spreading inaccurate information about his record. Cruz shrugged off being called a liar by both Rubio and Trump, saying: "Both Donald Trump and Marco Rubio are following this pattern -- that whenever anyone points to their actual record ... they start screaming liar, liar, liar."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marco Rubio explains why he isn't the GOP's Obama At CNN's GOP town hall, Marco Rubio explains why he is qualified to be commander-in-chief despite being a first term senator.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Carson weighs in on Apple, Supreme Court at CNN town hall Struggling to keep his campaign afloat, Ben Carson said at CNN's South Carolina town hall that if he were president in his last year of office, he would nominate someone to replace late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. "I probably would take the opportunity to nominate someone. Doesn't necessarily mean that person will be acted on or confirmed," Carson said Wednesday night, ahead of the Palmetto State's Republican primary on Saturday. "Why not do it?" The retired neurosurgeon is opening a forum that will also feature two other Republican candidates, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Carson also weighed in on the ongoing discussions over whether the cell phone of one of the attackers in the San Bernardino mass shooting should be unlocked.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Obama confronts his political failure on campaign anniversary Even as he works to accentuate eight years of achievements, President Barack Obama paused Wednesday to highlight where he readily admits he's failed. Returning to Springfield, Illinois, site of his presidential campaign launch nine years ago, Obama confronted the gaping shortfall between his lofty 2007 rhetoric on changing the country's political discourse, and the reality of politics today: meaner and more divided than ever. Obama reflected on his time in the Illinois state Senate when he worked with Republicans, even on issues where they didn't agree with. He contrasted that with current political rhetoric, saying in the state Senate they didn't refer to name calling. "They trusted each other even if they didn't agree," Obama said. "We didn't call each other idiots or fascists who were trying to destroy America."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders clash at CNN town hall Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders traded barbs Wednesday night over who best embodies progressive values. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders clash at CNN town hall Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders traded barbs Wednesday night over who best embodies progressive values. At a CNN town hall in Derry, New Hampshire, ahead of next Tuesday's first-in-the-nation primary, Sanders slammed Clinton, arguing that she's out of step with the party's base on issues ranging from campaign finance to climate change, trade and the Iraq War. "I do not know any progressive who has a super PAC and takes $15 million from Wall Street," Sanders told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "That's just not progressive. As I mentioned earlier, the key foreign policy vote of modern American history was the war in Iraq. The progressive community was pretty united in saying, 'Don't listen to Bush. Don't go to war.' Secretary Clinton voted to go to war." Clinton shot back in her session following Sanders, quipping that she was "amused" that the Vermont senator appears to consider himself the "gatekeeper on who's progressive."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sanders: Clinton is 'funded by Wall Street' Bernie Sanders on Wednesday hammered Hillary Clinton's super PAC's fundraising haul, playing up his $3.5 million in individual contributions following the Iowa caucuses. He pointed to Clinton's Priorities USA Action, which reported raising $25.3 million in the second half of 2015 -- including, Sanders said, $15 million attached to Wall Street interests. "That is a very significant difference," he said. "Our campaign is funded by the people. To a significant degree, her campaign is funded by Wall Street and big money interests." Bernie Sanders: Clinton can't have it both ways Sanders also questioned Clinton's assertion that she is progressive, pointing to the months she waited before announcing her opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and the Keystone XL pipeline. "Most progressives that I know really do not raise millions of dollars from Wall Street," Sanders said. "Most progressives that I know are firm from day one in opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the TPP agreement. They didn't have to think about it a lot. They were opposed to Keystone from day one, they didn't have to vacillate on that issue." His comments came the day after Sanders said Clinton is progressive on "some days."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clinton, Sanders highlight big differences Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders drew sharp contrasts with each other at a CNN Democratic town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders drew sharp contrasts with each other at a CNN Democratic town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

O'Malley: We need to shake out of 'this trickle-down nonsense' O'Malley to critics: I'm in it to win itTo learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bernie Sanders: We need a political revolution During the Iowa Democratic town hall, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders talks about why his campaign has become so popular. Bernie Sanders confronts the 'electability' question Bernie Sanders unapologetically warned on Monday that taxes would rise if he is elected President, an admission that could please his liberal base but trigger criticism from Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Speaking at an intimate Democratic town hall in Des Moines broadcast by CNN, Sanders was asked how he would pay for his single-payer, Medicare-for-all proposal. "We will raise taxes. Yes we will," Sanders said. Sanders argued, however, that the taxes are worth it, given what American families will save in premiums. And, living up to his image as a self-declared Democratic socialist, he warned corporations and the richest Americans that they would pay more. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democratic Presidential Candidates in this debate: Hillary Clinton, Former Secretary of State Martin O'Malley, Former Governor of Maryland Bernie Sanders, United States SenatorTo learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Opening Debate Candidates: Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana Rick Santorum, Former United States Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator from South Carolina George Pataki, Former Governor of New York About the arrangement of candidates Candidates are arrange by position in the polls Contributors and guests during this debate are Sara Murray, CNN Political Correspondent, Jeff Zeleny, CNN Senior Washington Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This series kicks off on September 16th with the Republican Presidential Candidate Debate from the Reagan Library. In this promo for the series, CNN's Jake Tapper welcomes you to what will be an ever growing collection of podcasts focused on the 2016 Presidential campaign and the many debates that will come before the nominations and election. You'll be able to listen to all of our debates from the 2016 Presidential campaign. Once the debate on CNN TV is over you will get the full unedited audio here, within 30 minutes. We'll also give you some special shows with analysis about the debates and campaign from time to time. So click subscribe, and follow along with us as CNN covers the 2016 Presidential campaign like nobody else can. . . on TV, online, in our mobile apps, and now podcasts too.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Third and final Presidential Debate of 2016: Donald Trump vs Hillary ClintonTo learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Second 2016 Presidential debate from Washington UniversityTo learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

VP Debate Pence Vs KaineTo learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clinton, Trump clash in first debate: CNN's Reality Check Team vets the claims. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump clashed Monday in their first head-to-head debate of the general election season, with Trump in particular straying from the truth, CNN's Reality Check Team found. The team of reporters, researchers and editors across CNN listened throughout the debate and selected key statements from both candidates, rating them true; mostly true; true, but misleading; false; or it's complicated. Clinton claimed Trump "thinks that climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese," a charge Trump immediately denied. Who's telling the truth? On November 6, 2012, Trump tweeted, "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday defended his endorsement of Donald Trump -- despite his frequent differences with the presumptive GOP nominee -- saying the only alternative is giving the presidency to Hillary Clinton. "It is a binary choice," Ryan said at a CNN town hall hosted by Jake Tapper. "It is either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. You don't get a third option." But the challenge facing Ryan was clear when he was asked a question by Zachary Marcone, a Republican who said he couldn't support Trump because he is "openly racist." "Can you tell me, how can you morally justify your support for this kind of candidate?" Marcone asked. Ryan didn't address the premise of the question, reiterating his stance that opposing Trump amounts to supporting Clinton. He pledged to always speak his mind when he disagrees with Trump but argued that the best chance for conservatives to have their priorities signed into law is with the businessman in the White House and pointed to the ability of the next president to nominate Supreme Court justices. As he spoke of the next president's ability to choose Supreme Court nominees and influence the high court over the long term, Ryan criticized Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The 83-year-old justice is the subject of controversy after she told CNN this week that Trump is a "faker" who is driven by his ego. "I think it is out of place in an appointed branch of government. That shows bias to me," Ryan said. "I don't think that is something she should have done."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an election cycle full of surprises -- and unprecedented dissatisfaction with the major party candidates -- voters got a look at a couple of fresh faces Wednesday night in a town hall event live on CNN. Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson, flanked by his running mate Bill Weld, used the opportunity to introduce himself to voters and slam the existing Washington order. "The two-party system is a two-party dinosaur, and they're about to come in contact with the comet here," Johnson told CNN's Chris Cuomo. Weld, a former Massachusetts Republican governor who once worked in President Ronald Reagan's Justice Department and wanted to serve as an ambassador in the Clinton administration, said "that duopoly down there in Washington is not getting a lot done." "It's almost like the parties exist more for the purpose of slandering each other than they do for having constructive approaches to legislation," Weld said. "We like to think we're going to be the third way." READ: What is Libertarianism? Despite their contempt for the current state of 2016 politics, the libertarians showed positive indifference to the political battles being waged on the campaign trail. When it came to Hillary Clinton attacking Donald Trump's business record or Trump calling Clinton corrupt, Johnson said he would "leave that to others." "I don't think either of us are going to engage in any sort of name-calling," Johnson said. "We're going to keep this to the issues, and the issues are plenty." The two had cordial words for Clinton and President Barack Obama, but were quick to voice their differences with Trump. "Starting with immigration, starting with free trade, going on and on and on, killing the families of Muslim terrorists. Really, it's what's coming out of his mouth that I really have issues with," said Johnson, a former two-term governor of New Mexico, of Trump. Weld, who regularly condemns Trump, cast his rhetoric as dangerous.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an election cycle full of surprises -- and unprecedented dissatisfaction with the major party candidates -- voters got a look at a couple of fresh faces Wednesday night in a town hall event live on CNN. Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson, flanked by his running mate Bill Weld, used the opportunity to introduce himself to voters and slam the existing Washington order. "The two-party system is a two-party dinosaur, and they're about to come in contact with the comet here," Johnson told CNN's Chris Cuomo. Weld, a former Massachusetts Republican governor who once worked in President Ronald Reagan's Justice Department and wanted to serve as an ambassador in the Clinton administration, said "that duopoly down there in Washington is not getting a lot done." "It's almost like the parties exist more for the purpose of slandering each other than they do for having constructive approaches to legislation," Weld said. "We like to think we're going to be the third way." READ: What is Libertarianism? Despite their contempt for the current state of 2016 politics, the libertarians showed positive indifference to the political battles being waged on the campaign trail. When it came to Hillary Clinton attacking Donald Trump's business record or Trump calling Clinton corrupt, Johnson said he would "leave that to others." "I don't think either of us are going to engage in any sort of name-calling," Johnson said. "We're going to keep this to the issues, and the issues are plenty." The two had cordial words for Clinton and President Barack Obama, but were quick to voice their differences with Trump. "Starting with immigration, starting with free trade, going on and on and on, killing the families of Muslim terrorists. Really, it's what's coming out of his mouth that I really have issues with," said Johnson, a former two-term governor of New Mexico, of Trump. Weld, who regularly condemns Trump, cast his rhetoric as dangerous.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton both came out swinging in a fiery, high-stakes debate on CNN Thursday night, as he cast doubt on her judgment and she criticized his command of policy and his record on guns. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton both came out swinging in a fiery, high-stakes debate on CNN Thursday night, as he cast doubt on her judgment and she criticized his command of policy and his record on guns. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday accused Donald Trump supporters of "acting like union boss thugs" in pursuit of the Republican Party nomination, saying during CNN's town hall that they are intimidating potential Republican National Convention delegates. "Donald and his team, it's almost like they're subjects in a course in clinical psychology. The conduct they do, literally, they accuse others of doing," Cruz told moderator Anderson Cooper during the event, which took place in New York ahead of Tuesday's primary. Cruz also predicted Trump would have trouble getting the support of Republicans at a contested convention. "In Cleveland, I believe if it's a contested convention ... we're going to be in the much stronger position to earn the majority of delegates and earn the nomination of the party," Cruz said. "In Wisconsin, the day before the election, Trump predicted a big victory," Cruz said. "What we saw was the party unify and come together, that's what its going to take to win the nomination." Responding to accusations by Trump that the rules of the Republican nomination process are "stacked against" him and the national party is rooting for him to lose in a CNN town hall Wednesday night. "Anyone who knows anything about Washington knows the establishment is not rooting for me," Cruz said. "The rules are simple, the way you get elected is you win a majority of the delegates in the elections. I think the way you win is you make the case to the voters and you win their votes."To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump said Tuesday night that the political system is "stacked against me," and accused the Republican Party of conspiring to stop him from clinching the party's nomination. At a special CNN town hall in New York City ahead of next Tuesday's crucial New York primary, Trump said: "I know the rules very well, but I know it's stacked against me by the establishment." The GOP presidential front-runner blasted "unfair" results in Colorado -- where he was swept by Ted Cruz at a party convention this weekend -- and Louisiana, where he won the primary but Cruz is seeking to sway delegates. Those developments, he said, were the result of establishment Republicans working against his campaign. "They changed the rules a number of months ago," Trump told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "You know why they changed the rules? Because they saw how I was doing and they didn't like it." Trump, saying the Republican Party is "100%" controlled by the Republican National Committee, said he believes the RNC is rooting against him.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kasich on nomination race: 'It's a bizarre process'. Ohio Gov. John Kasich called the Republican presidential primary delegate process "bizarre" on Monday and said the Republican National Convention should adopt rules that would open up the nomination to more candidates. The comments came during CNN's town hall moderated by Anderson Cooper, featuring Kasich's wife, Karen, and two daughters, Emma and Reese. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Maybe I won’t answer it either," John Kasich joked of the question to all three candidates tonight about whether they stand behind everyone's previous pledges to support the eventual GOP nominee. He said he has "respect for people that are in the arena" but added that he's been "disturbed" by some of what he's seen on the campaign trail. “I don’t want to be political here: I’ve got to see what happens," he said, leaving unstated his feelings on Donald Trump.A voter asked John Kasich why he expanded Medicaid in his state under the Obamacare law and why he went along with the Washington solution. A visibily annoyed Kasich vigorously defended his decision, saying it helps get drug addicts off the streets among other benefits. “It’s not so simple what Gov. Walker did here,” Kasich said. He touted his Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endorsement today and said when he was in Congress as well as in Ohio, he helped pass a balanced budget. “We don’t put our budget together with scotch tape and baling wire," Kasich said. “I reject Obamacare. ... I actually have a solid health careplan to replace Obamacare.” As for that national surplus? “Guess who spent it? The Republicans," Kasich said. “Sir, you have to stand in the breach when you’re the leader."“Of course it’s not, that’s absurd," John Kasich said, saying NATO has an additional role of "policing and intelligence gathering" now.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump was asked about a farming economy that relies on immigrants to fill jobs that there aren't enough Americans to fill. “People will be able to come in legally," Trump said, ignoring the part of the question about keeping the labor force that's already in place. “We’re going to let people come in, but they’re going to come in legally," Trump said. “It’s going to work beautifully, you’re not going to be affected.”Donald Trump sounded an oddly empathetic tone on explaining why he doesn't expect his former opponents to support him if he's the nominee. Starting with Ted Cruz. “I watched how tormented he was with that question," Trump said, referring to Cruz earlier in the town hall ducking whether he would back Trump if he were the nominee. "I don’t want him to be tormented. I don’t want his support, I don’t need his support, I want him to be comfortable.” Trump said the same goes for other candidates, like Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who endorsed Cruz. “I drove him out of the race, I drove Jeb Bush out of the race, I drove Rand Paul out of the race: I understand why they don’t like me," Trump said.And he said he doesn't care if Ted Cruz does either. “No, I won’t," Donald Trump said when asked if he would keep the promise to back the eventual nominee. "(Cruz) was essentially saying the same thing. He doesn’t have to support me.” Trump repeated that he doesn't believe he's being treated "fairly" by the GOP and the Republican establishment.CNN PoliticsMarch 29, 2016 9:31pm 0Share Trump dodges question about protecting minorities Donald Trump got a question from Brian James Murphy, a police officer who was shot responding to the shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He asked about a backlash against minority religious groups, saying, “This in turn brings about things that cause damage all over.” He added that “99% of the men in the United States who wear turbans are actually Sikh and not Muslim. How would you suggest we educate the public" about minorities and protecting constitutional rights? he asked. “We have a tremendous problem with radical Islam," Trump responded, not directly answering the question. He stood behind his call for a temporary ban on all foreign Muslims entering the country and implied that President Barack Obama was not a Christian, as he is. “We have a president who won’t talk about (radical Islam), why he won’t talk about it, perhaps only he knows,” Trump said. “We have to be very tough," Trump reiterated. Responding to a follow-up from CNN's Anderson Cooper about protecting minorities, Trump simply said: “I want to do that, but we have to recognize we have a very serious problem” with terrorists.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First question. on the criminal charge of battery on a member of trumps team Second. Do you see a path to getting the necessary delegates for the nomination Third. What does it mean to "patrol and secure" muslim neighborhoods? Fourth. What proof do you have that Trump and his people planted those allegation in the national enquirer Fifth. How and why does your religion play a part in your decision-making? Sixth. Would you send a large number of W.S. forces to Syria to obliterate ISIS and send a clear message? seventh. What do you see as your greatest personal failure and what dud you learn from it? eighth. Should you hold yourself to a higher standard and stop the name-calling between you and Trump? ninth. What are your short and long term solutions to keep our Latino work force? tenth. Do you still pledge yo support the GOP nominee, no matter who it is? Eleventh. How would you ensure America is not blindly attacked by terrorists, while maintaining our privacy? twelfth. What are you doing to convince women you are the right candidate to vote for? thirteenth. Do you support stronger opioid prescription guideline at V.A. hospitals and across the country? fourteenth. What will you do to ensure there are qualified manufactured workers in the U.S.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bernie Sanders opened his appearance by satellite from Salt Lake City, Utah, by explaining that he didn't snub AIPAC by being the only current White House hopeful not to address the group Monday, saying it was merely a question of scheduling. He called for the United States to work with both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said Israel should have the right to defend itself but warned conditions in the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip need to be mitigated, and that people are contending with high unemployment and "horrific" poverty there. Still, Sanders said he was "not happy ... with some of the behavior" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing the Israeli leader's decision to accept an invitation to address the U.S. Congress about the Iran nuclear deal without notifying the White House. Sanders backed Obama's Cuba diplomacy and hinted that it would be proper for Cuban leader Raul Castro to visit the White House.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump said the U.S. should rethink its involvement in NATO because the defense alliance costs too much money. In remarks to CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Trump said the U.S. pays a disproportionate amount to NATO to ensure the security of allies. "Frankly, they have to put up more money," he said. "We are paying disproportionately. It's too much, and frankly it's a different world than it was when we originally conceived of the idea." For instance, Trump said Washington was "taking care" of Ukraine and that other European nations were not doing enough to support the Kiev government that has been locked in a long showdown with Moscow. Donald Trump unveils foreign policy advisers But Ukraine is not a member of NATO, and Washington is not providing arms to the government as it is fighting pro-Moscow rebels, though has provided nonlethal aid and has helped support international bailouts of the Ukrainian economy. Later in the interview, Trump qualified his remarks saying that the U.S. should not "decrease its role" in NATO but should decrease its spending. Still, the Republican presidential front-runner's NATO comments could spur anxiety among the Western foreign policy establishment. Hillary Clinton stepped up her attacks on Trump's character and behavior as she makes a case that he is not fit to be commander in chief -- an argument likely to form the centerpiece of the Democratic Party's assault if he becomes the Republican nominee. "He has been engaging in bigotry and bluster and bullying, and I think when it comes to understanding what he would do as president, there are serious questions that have been raised, and this campaign should he be the nominee will have to address them," Clinton told CNN's Anderson Cooper. The former secretary of state accused Trump of inciting violence and urging supporters to go after protesters in a way that she said "raises very serious questions." Asked whether Trump would behave differently as president, Clinton answered "Who knows?"To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hillary Clinton accuses Donald Trump of 'political arson'. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders both accused Donald Trump of inciting violence, with the former secretary of state calling him "bigoted" and alleging he had perpetrated "political arson," while the Vermont senator labeled him a "pathological liar" at a town hall on Sunday night. "It is clear that Donald Trump is running a very cynical campaign pitting groups of Americans against one another. He is trafficking in hate and fear," Cinton said during the event at Ohio State University hosted by CNN and TV One. "He actually incites violence in the way he urges his audience on, talking about punching people, offering to pay legal bills." Clinton charged that Trump was guilty of a case of "political arson" by throwing fuel on political divisions in the country. "He has been incredibly bigoted towards so many groups," she continued. "You don't make America great by tearing down everything that made America great." Clinton followed Sanders at the town hall moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and TV One's Roland Martin. Sanders and Clinton are making closing arguments to voters in their increasingly contentious Democratic nominating marathon, two days before five states vote in crucial primaries that could set the tone for the rest of the contest.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bernie Sanders on Sunday slammed Donald Trump as a "pathological liar" who is "inciting violence" as Sanders kicked off a town hall duel with Hillary Clinton. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump to GOP establishment: 'Embrace what's happening'. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump opened the CNN debate here Thursday by calling on his party leadership to "accept" what is happening in the 2016 election. Trump, who is dominating the GOP primary season, said his campaign has spurred unprecedented enthusiasm and turnout. "The Republican establishment, or whatever you want to call it, should embrace what's happening," Trump said. A week after the last raucous Republican debate at which Trump boasted about the size of his manhood, Thursday's forum struck softer tones -- at least initially. Personal insults that dominated previous debates were largely absent, replaced instead by a policy-oriented discussion on issues including immigration and Social Security. "So far, I can't believe how civil it's been up here," Trump quipped. Trump addressed an issue that has tripped him up in the past: H-1B visas that encourage legal immigration for high-skilled workers. He called the program "very, very bad for workers," but in the same breath, acknowledged that he uses it in his hiring practices. "I know the H-1B very well. I use it. I shouldn't be allowed to use it," Trump said, adding that the program should simply not exist. Trump or Cruz? GOP leaders shake their heads, prepare to choose Trump and three other White House hopefuls at the debate are heading into a week that could alter the course of the 2016 election. Trump is at his usual spot at center stage. With a sizeable lead in the delegate race, the New York billionaire holds the best chance of clinching the Republican Party's nomination. To his left is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who -- bolstered by his recent primary victories -- is urgently pleading with the party to help him defeat Trump. Marco Rubio and John Kasich may have the most to gain or lose. Both have had a disappointing few months and badly trail in the delegate path. Next Tuesday, each man will face the voters of their respective home states of Florida and Ohio. For both candidates, losing those contests would likely be the death knell for their campaigns. The outcomes in Florida and Ohio will be critical in shaping the course of the GOP race. A Fox News poll released Wednesday showed Kasich with a narrow lead ahead of Trump in Ohio; in Florida, Trump was well ahead of Rubio. Ted Cruz's challenge: uniting Republicans against Trump If this poll bears out and Kasich is able to eke out a win in Ohio, that could suddenly make him the establishment favorite and earn him fresh support from party leaders and donors uncomfortable with the idea of Trump or Cruz becoming the nominee. If Trump, as he is predicting, wins both Florida and Ohio and picks up the 165 delegates that are at stake in the two winner-take-all states, his candidacy would turn into a runaway train.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump to GOP establishment: 'Embrace what's happening'. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump opened the CNN debate here Thursday by calling on his party leadership to "accept" what is happening in the 2016 election. Trump, who is dominating the GOP primary season, said his campaign has spurred unprecedented enthusiasm and turnout. "The Republican establishment, or whatever you want to call it, should embrace what's happening," Trump said. A week after the last raucous Republican debate at which Trump boasted about the size of his manhood, Thursday's forum struck softer tones -- at least initially. Personal insults that dominated previous debates were largely absent, replaced instead by a policy-oriented discussion on issues including immigration and Social Security. "So far, I can't believe how civil it's been up here," Trump quipped. Trump addressed an issue that has tripped him up in the past: H-1B visas that encourage legal immigration for high-skilled workers. He called the program "very, very bad for workers," but in the same breath, acknowledged that he uses it in his hiring practices. "I know the H-1B very well. I use it. I shouldn't be allowed to use it," Trump said, adding that the program should simply not exist. Trump or Cruz? GOP leaders shake their heads, prepare to choose Trump and three other White House hopefuls at the debate are heading into a week that could alter the course of the 2016 election. Trump is at his usual spot at center stage. With a sizeable lead in the delegate race, the New York billionaire holds the best chance of clinching the Republican Party's nomination. To his left is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who -- bolstered by his recent primary victories -- is urgently pleading with the party to help him defeat Trump. Marco Rubio and John Kasich may have the most to gain or lose. Both have had a disappointing few months and badly trail in the delegate path. Next Tuesday, each man will face the voters of their respective home states of Florida and Ohio. For both candidates, losing those contests would likely be the death knell for their campaigns. The outcomes in Florida and Ohio will be critical in shaping the course of the GOP race. A Fox News poll released Wednesday showed Kasich with a narrow lead ahead of Trump in Ohio; in Florida, Trump was well ahead of Rubio. Ted Cruz's challenge: uniting Republicans against Trump If this poll bears out and Kasich is able to eke out a win in Ohio, that could suddenly make him the establishment favorite and earn him fresh support from party leaders and donors uncomfortable with the idea of Trump or Cruz becoming the nominee. If Trump, as he is predicting, wins both Florida and Ohio and picks up the 165 delegates that are at stake in the two winner-take-all states, his candidacy would turn into a runaway train.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders angrily clashed over auto industry bailouts, guns and ties to Wall Street on Sunday, as underlying tensions in the Democratic presidential race burst into the open at an impassioned CNN debate in Flint, Michigan. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders angrily clashed over auto industry bailouts, guns and ties to Wall Street on Sunday, as underlying tensions in the Democratic presidential race burst into the open at an impassioned CNN debate in Flint, Michigan. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special event, CNN anchor Don Lemon and political commentator Van Jones are joined by notable guests to discuss the unique challenges black and brown communities are facing during the coronavirus crisis, putting a spotlight on their struggles and providing listeners with ways they can help.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Vice President and U.S. Presidential candidate Joe Biden answers questions about the coronavirus during a remote town hall moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a CNN and Facebook global town hall event, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders face off in the first one-on-one debate of the 2020 presidential primary, moderated by CNN's Dana Bash and Jake Tapper and Univision's Ilia Calderón. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a special town hall event, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper answer key questions with top health experts about the coronavirus.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senator and U.S. Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren answers questions from voters in South Carolina during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Don Lemon.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senator and U.S. Presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar answers questions from voters in South Carolina during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Dana Bash.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Vice President and U.S. Presidential candidate Joe Biden answers questions from voters in South Carolina during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Chris Cuomo.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Mayor and U.S. Presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg answers questions from voters in South Carolina during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Businessman and U.S. Presidential candidate Tom Steyer answers questions from voters in South Carolina during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Chris Cuomo.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Mayor and U.S. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg answers questions from voters in South Carolina during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Don Lemon.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senator and U.S. Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders answers questions from voters in South Carolina during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Chris Cuomo.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Vice President and U.S. Presidential candidate Joe Biden answers questions from voters in Nevada during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper in Las Vegas.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senator and U.S. Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren answers questions from voters in Nevada during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Erin Burnett in Las Vegas.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Mayor and U.S. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg answers questions from voters in Nevada during a live town hall moderated by CNN's Erin Burnett in Las Vegas.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices