ABC severs debate partnership with NH Union Leader

ABC is cutting off their partnership with the New Hampshire Union Leader for the Republican primary debate on Feb 6. The paper was set to have a co-branding relationship for the debate, though it was going to be a comparatively minor role, without any representative on stage asking questions on behalf of the newspaper. In a series of tweets on Jan 10, Donald Trump took credit for ABC's move, saying he asked for ABC to remove the paper from the debate. An ABC spokesperson declined to comment on his claims, but ever since the paper’s participation in the December Democratic debate, the relationship with ABC had become strained, at best, apparently. Adding to the strained relationship was the paper’s singling out of one particular candidate, Donald Trump, with front page editorials.

In a statement, Union Leader publisher Joseph McQuaid said ABC was bowing to external forces. "We will get over being 'severed.' We are amused by ABC apparently just discovering that we write editorials and endorse candidates. We have been doing both for decades and it hasn't been an issue for ABC or anyone else," McQuaid wrote. "Between bowing to the Democratic National Committee and Trump, ABC is more concerned about appeasing the parties and candidates than informing voters."