Iowa Public Television Suddenly Key to Debate Ratings Battle

The debate ranker is about to get quite a bit more crowded over the next two days. The final two primary debates before the Iowa caucuses will take place today and tomorrow at 2pmET.

The debates will be more low profile then previous ones. Instead of Anderson Cooper moderating with YouTube as a partner, Des Moines Register editor Carolyn Washburn will moderate and Iowa Public Television is teaming up with the paper.

But what makes these debates important is that CNN, Fox News and MSNBC will air the debate live and go head-to-head-to-head for daytime viewers. It will be interesting to see the ratings tomorrow, as competing networks will simulcast a debate for the first time in this primary cycle.

Another interesting note — somehow Alan Keyes qualified for the debate today and will be involved.

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