Things might get heated Tuesday night during the CNN-moderated Florida governor’s debate, so will moderator Jake Tapper cool things off with a fan?
“I plan to discuss fans, air-conditioning units, heaters and other climate appliances as little as possible,” Tapper joked to TheWrap about the “fangate” controversy over Democrat Charlie Crist bringing a blower to last week’s debate with Gov. Rick Scott.
Scott didn’t come out to participate for several minutes because he took issue with Crist’s little fan behind the podium. This all gave cable news and late-night comedy ample fodder to talk about and mock.
See video: Stephen Colbert Rips Rick Scott, Charlie Crist’s ‘Fangate’ Debate With ‘CSI: Miami’ Homage
Six days later, the two men square off again, this time with CNN anchor Tapper moderating. “Fangate” aside, he looked for a substantive debate.
“The reporters in Florida and voters here have done a good job asking a lot of excellent questions of these candidates,” said Tapper, “but there are still a few subjects that I think more clarification would be helpful, so we plan on focusing on some of those areas — especially on getting straight answers.”
Also read: CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Jake Tapper Moderating Debates for Hotly Contested Races
Tapper moderates the debate on CNN Tuesday at 7 p.m.