CNN to Air Interviews with Michelle Obama, Ann Romney Ahead of First Debate
Sen. Rob Portman Speaks Exclusively with Dana Bash about Behind-the-Scenes of Debate Prep
On the eve of the first head-to-head debate between Pres. Obama and Gov. Romney, CNN is the only cable network to have conducted recent interviews with both of the candidates’ wives. Chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin sat down with First Lady Michelle Obama and chief political analyst Gloria Borger interviewed Ann Romney. Portions of the interviews will first air today on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, which begins at 4 p.m. ET. The interviews will be featured during the network’s ‘Debate Night in America’ coverage, which begins Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.
Yellin interviewed Mrs. Obama together with her brother Craig Robinson. In the sit down interview, they discuss the upcoming debate, which falls on the Obama’s 20th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Obama discusses what it is like to watch her husband debate and weighs in on Ann Romney’s sentiment that running for president is “hard.”
In Borger’s pre-debate interview with Ann Romney, the candidate’s wife candidly shares how Gov. Romney prepares for the high stakes face-off. During the one-on-one, Mrs. Romney takes on her husband’s critics, discusses her role supporting him and addresses the debates’ potential impact on his campaign.
Additionally, senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash spoke exclusively with Sen. Rob Portman, who is playing the role of Pres. Obama during Gov. Romney’s debate preparation. Portman, who has played the role of the Democrat for GOP candidates since 2000, offered insight and anecdotes about the behind-the-scenes rehearsals through the years. Yellin also sat down for an interview with Sen. John Kerry, who is playing the role of Gov. Romney during Pres. Obama’s debate preparation. Bash and Yellin’s interviews with Sen. Portman and Sen. Kerry will air Wednesday during the network’s ‘Debate Night in America’ coverage, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
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