CNN to broadcast live from Mercyhurst University for historic Harris-Trump debate

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, CNN will broadcast live from Mercyhurst University as presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off in their inaugural debate in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania's status as a key swing state makes it a focal point for news organizations, according to CNN. Erie, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, has become a significant indicator in recent elections, flipping to red for Trump in 2016 and back to blue for Biden in 2020.

To gauge real-time reactions from voters, CNN will assemble a focus group of Erie County voters, preferably undecided, CNN noted. This group will watch the debate together at Mercyhurst and provide instantaneous feedback using a technique called dial-testing. Dial-testing involves participants using hand-held dials to continuously record their responses to specific moments in the debate, allowing CNN to capture nuanced reactions as they happen.

At the conclusion of the debate, CNN will go live to Mercyhurst, where CNN anchor Phil Mattingly will interview members of the focus group for their reactions.

Mercyhurst political analyst Dr. Joe Morris is well aware of the national attention to Erie, having been interviewed by local, national, and international media outlets since the 2016 presidential election.

“Pennsylvania has held 25 statewide elections for president, senator, governor, attorney general, treasurer, or auditor since 2008,” he said. “In 23 of those 25 elections, Erie County voted for the winner. And voters there didn’t simply support one side. They voted for 20 Democratic candidates and five Republican candidates, including Trump for president.”