CNN won't ask Democratic candidates any 'show of hands' questions in the next round of debates

CNN is laying down the law for the next round of Democratic primary debates in July. And "show of hands" questions are persona non grata.

Such questions stirred up some drama in the first round of debates in June — most notably when candidates were asked if they would abolish private health insurance in favor of a government-run plan or if undocumented immigrants should receive health care coverage. The Hill thinks the whole notion of show of hands questions is a bad one that really only serves to trap candidates into taking simplistic, often controversial stances on nuanced issues.

CNN seemingly agrees. The news network will also do away with down-the-line questions, like when candidates were asked to name the U.S. biggest geopolitical threat. See below for the rest of CNN's plan for the next round

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Whether you hated the show of hands questions or their exclusion bums you out, there is one piece of news that most people certainly can agree is good: The debates will start an hour earlier this time around. Tim O'Donnell