Just a quick diary. I think in all the discussion about the debate on MSNBC Thursday (which may or may nor happen) the fact that there will be a televised Town Hall Forum on CNN tonight may have been overlooked by some.
Dem candidates to attend New Hampshire town hall
CNN Politics
The Democratic presidential hopefuls will make closing arguments to New Hampshire voters Wednesday during a prime-time CNN town hall in Derry -- less than one week before votes are cast in the New Hampshire primary.
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"We are delighted to partner with CNN on Wednesday's town hall here in New Hampshire," New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley said. "We have three incredible Democratic candidates running for president and this is a fantastic opportunity for voters in New Hampshire and around the country to hear their plans to build on the progress we've made just days before the New Hampshire primary."
The event will air on CNN from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
Obviously, since Martin O’Malley has dropped out of the race, there will only be two candidates participating. With an hour for each candidate (minus commercial breaks) they should be able to cover a lot of ground.
5 things to watch in the Democratic town hall
CNN Politics
Hillary Clinton won the first round against Bernie Sanders -- even though the results in the Iowa caucuses don't get much closer to an even draw.
Now just a two-person race after Martin O'Malley abandoned his bid, Clinton and Sanders' week-long sprint to the New Hampshire primary goes before a national audience as they appear at a CNN town hall event moderated by Anderson Cooper.
Here are five things to watch in Wednesday night's event:
1. How low can Clinton's expectations go?
This was no triumph: It doesn't get closer than the margin by which Clinton won Iowa, with 49.9% to Sanders' 49.6%.
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2. How angry will Bernie be?
In a similar CNN town hall in Iowa, Sanders absolutely unloaded on Clinton, hammering her as a newcomer to the progressive movement on income inequality, trade, energy and other issues.
Since then, the man who talks about never running a negative ad in his life has approved one that ripped into Goldman Sachs for paying politicians speaking fees -- a crystal-clear shot at Clinton who has received that money.
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3. Clinton on the attack
Clinton returned to the one line that might best fit her campaign late Monday night in Iowa, telling supporters she's "a progressive who gets things done."
Will she continue her line of attack on Sanders that his ideas sound great but bear little resemblance to the political realities of Washington today?
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4. What about the Republicans?
When Democrats attended a similar forum in Iowa, they'd notably reduced their usual tally of attacks on the Republican field.
There was good reason why: Polls were showing Sanders within striking distance in Iowa, and there was suddenly a race that could go either direction. Sanders was ready to criticize Clinton over her Wall Street ties, trade, the Keystone pipeline and much more, and Clinton had totally dropped her months-long refusal to even say Sanders' name.
Will the two turn their focus back to Republicans now that the first results are in?
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5. Griping over who won Iowa
Sure, Clinton might have four more state delegate equivalents out of nearly 1,400.
But Sanders wouldn't quite concede defeat Tuesday in New Hampshire, telling reporters in Keene, "Well, we want to look at it."
How to Watch the CNN Democratic Town Hall Live Stream Online
Mediaite
Anderson Cooper will kick off coverage at 8 p.m. with 360, and the Town Hall will air on CNN from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET live from Derry, New Hampshire. The Town Hall will also be live-streamed online and across mobile devices via CNNgo. CNN International and CNN en Espanol will also simulcast the Town Hall.
Get the popcorn ready. This could be good.