As CNN prepares to host the first presidential debate next week, a new poll shows it should expect a big audience for the made-for-TV event.
A poll conducted by Puck News and Echelon Insights shows that 63% of respondents plan to watch the first debate on Thursday, June 27th. The poll was conducted between June 10th and 12th, and included more than 1,000 respondents.
Of those asked about the debate, 46% said they expected former President Donald Trump (R) to perform better than President Joe Biden (D). 37% thought Biden would be the top performer, while 17% were undecided.
Additionally, 56% of those polled said they would like to see independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. be allowed to participate in the June event. Due to the rules agreed upon by the Biden and Trump campaigns, Kennedy has until Thursday, June 20th to eclipse 15% in a national poll to be included in the debate. As of this publication, he has yet to garner that support.
The June 27th event will not only be available on CNN. Both ABC News and PBS have joined the network as simulcast partners for the 90-minute debate.
Respondents in the poll were also asked about where they get their news. 50% said from local TV outlets. In cable news, 37% said Fox News, 36% said ABC News, and 35% said CNN, before outlets like MSNBC, NBC News, CBS News, Newsmax, and OAN.
