ABC’s Raddatz Presses Carson: Shouldn’t Candidates Be ‘Challenged’ at Debates?

Ben Carson was one of the first Republican candidates, following last week’s CNBC debate, to complain about the debate format and call for a change in format. There’s a meeting between multiple Republican campaigns, his included, later today to discuss whether to wrest control from the RNC.

On ABC’s This Week today, Martha Raddatz asked Carson what specifically he wants to see in future debates. Carson says the purpose of debates is to allow voters to get to know the candidates, and wants longer opening and closing statements, as well as “tighter guidelines in terms of people when they respond to questions.”

He wants moderators “who are interested in disseminating the information about the candidates as opposed to ‘gotcha.'”

RELATED: CNN’s Baldwin: Does Ben Carson Understand the Definition of ‘Debate’?

Raddatz asked, “Should the candidates be challenged? Don’t you want to hear what they have to say and have that challenged by a free press?”

Carson answered, “There’s a time and place for that, but as far as I’m concerned, these debates are to highlight the differences in philosophy between the candidates.”

Watch above, via ABC.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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