For as long as there have been televised presidential debates, Republicans have asked for one thing: fairness. When mainstream media outlets have hosted those debates, that request has not always been granted. But props might have to be given to the Republican National Committee (RNC) regarding the third GOP presidential debate, scheduled for November 8. The debate will be hosted by NBC News. But before conservatives and Republicans groan and roll their eyes, anticipating the usual line of questioning from mainstream media debate hosts, there is a catch. While the debate will be seen on all NBC news platforms, the RNC will be partnering for the debate with the right-leaning video platform Rumble, along with the Salem Radio Network, and the Republican Jewish Coalition. 

Third GOP debate.

The Republican National Committee announced on Monday that it had selected partners — NBC News, Salem Radio Network (SRN), the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), and Rumble — for the third GOP presidential primary debate to be held on November 8, 2023, at the…

— BISHOP🇺🇸 (@Gabishop2Gb) October 16, 2023

Mainstream media debate hosts have track records of practically assisting the Democrat nominee during Presidential debates. Then CNN Political Correspondent Candy Crowley appearing to help former President Barack Obama in 2012 during a debate with GOP nominee Mitt Romney comes to mind. But even during the last debate, hosted by Fox News Channel's Dana Perino, Fox Business Network's Stuart Varney, and Univision's Ilia Calderon, and partnered with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Univision, many conservative media outlets and hosts derided the debate questions as "offensively stupid," and perceived "liberal framing." Other conservative critiques of the second debate included, "inappropriate" and "boring."

The obvious question for the RNC might be, after the misadventure of the partnership with Univision, and questions asked by Calderon regarding racism and discrimination in the LGBT community that many in conservative media saw as less important than issues of the economy and immigration, why take a chance with NBC? A mainstream media outlet does get Republicans away from the practice of "preaching to the choir," getting their candidates out in front of an audience other than Fox News or other conservative outlets where they might not otherwise be seen. The new debate partners also have a good chance of having a balancing effect on the line of questioning as well. 

David Santrella, the CEO of Salem Media Group — Townhall's parent company — said Salem is "honored to be chosen by the Republican National Committee to be a part of this historic Republican presidential primary debate."https://t.co/eItF5G3K6d

— Spencer Brown (@itsSpencerBrown) October 16, 2023

New debate partners may also help the RNC keep a promise, at least partially, that the chairman of the Temporary Committee on Presidential Debates, David Bosse, made in 2022. During an interview, Bosse stated that GOP debates would not be given to the "same old outlets" and would "raise up 'conservative media.'" Bosse went on to address the fact that Republican voters might like to see a debate where Republicans run the show and ask the questions, saying:

“Look I am just spitballing here because we have not done anything but wouldn’t the American people, the Republican primary voters want to see a debate where, I don’t know Mark Levin and Dan Bongino got to ask questions? Right? Wouldn’t that be interesting and entertaining all at the same time?”

A Republican Presidential debate on NBC News may once again prove to be risky for the RNC, but Republican debate partners may go a long way in putting the brakes on the same old mainstream media debate questions.

🚨 BREAKING: @RJC Partners with @GOP for the 3rd Presidential Debate on November 8 in Miami, FL

This is an historic opportunity. No other Jewish organization has ever co-sponsored a national presidential debate.

Full release: pic.twitter.com/SXqJ7cAHpy

— RJC (@RJC) October 16, 2023