GOP Debate Letter to Networks Is Ready, But Will Anybody Sign It?

A freshly-updated list of questions and rules for television networks planning to host future GOP presidential debates has been drafted — but exactly who will sign the document remains a mystery.

The Washington Post reports Ben Carson's campaign has sent out a "final version" of the letter to GOP presidential candidates following the Sunday huddle of their campaign strategists over concerns of fairness and perceived bias during last week's CNBC debate.

Those questions, according to The Post, include:

Where and when will the debate be held?
What are criteria for inclusion?
Who is the moderator? Will there be any additional questioners?
What is the estimated studio audience for the debate?
Will the debate be disseminated on-line? By radio?
What format do you envision — podiums, table, other?
Will there be questions from the audience or social media?
What is your proposed length of the debate?
Will there be opening and closing statements? How long will they be?
Will you commit to provide an equal number of questions to each candidate?
How long are the answers and rebuttals?
Will there be a gong/buzzer/bell when time is up?
Who is receiving tickets in addition to the candidates? Who’s in charge of distributing those tickets and filling the seats?
What are the plans for the lead-in to the debate (Pre-shot video? Announcer to moderator? Director to Moderator?)

The letter also states: "The answers you provide to these questions are part of a process that each campaign will use to determine whether its candidate will participate in your debate. All the candidates recognize that robust debates are an important part of the primary elections.

"It is also important that all debates be appropriate platforms for discussing substantive issues and the candidates' visions for the future. To achieve this going forward we would very much like to schedule a conference call after we have received the information requested."

But it appears several candidates will support the letter.

Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner, has stated he will negotiate separately with the networks about his appearance on future debates. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas are also unlikely to sign the letter, The Post says.

The CNBC debate, the third Republican presidential slugfest this year, has been widely criticized by the GOP.

In a column published by Newsmax, Carson's business manager Armstrong Williams wrote:

"The latest CNBC-moderated Republican primary debate provided the clearest evidence yet of how disconnected the mainstream media has become in this country.

"The debate was full of petty provocations, irrelevant topics (should the government regulate fantasy football, really?!), and loaded 'gotcha' interrogation-style questions that bared the media's consistently liberal bias and smug disregard for the concerns of the American voting public.

"Who can remember ever such a vapid, toothless media spectacle as the debate moderated by a cast of lightweight cable news anchors?"

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