CNN, Tea Party Express to Hold GOP Debate

CNN will join forces with the Tea Party Express to stage a Republican presidentail debate in 2011. According to the Los Angeles Times, the debate will be held in Tampa, Fla., in early September and will focus on economic and governmental issues.

"You find groups [that are] part of the coalition that make up a party and partner with them," CNN political director Sam Feist told the Times. "The tea party is clearly a significant part of the Republican coalition."

In an e-mail statement, the Tea Party Express said: "We will be full partners with CNN, jointly making decisions with them about the debate, and we will ensure that this debate reflects tea party principles, and we appreciate the opportunity to have those values represented over the airwaves of CNN."