CBS shifts focus of tonight’s Democratic debate

Presidential debate to emphasize terrorism in wake of Paris attacks

CBS News announced that its Democratic debate tonight will now have a focus on terrorism, national security and foreign relations in wake of the Paris attacks that have left at least 129 dead.

“Last night’s attacks are a tragic example of the kind of challenges American presidents face in today’s world and we intend to ask the candidates how they would confront the evolving threat of terrorism,” CBS News Washington bureau chief Chris Isham said.

Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley will face off during the second Democratic debate in Des Moines, Iowa, which will air at 9 p.m. on News Center 7 (WHIO-TV) and AM 1290 and News 95.7. An hourlong special on the Paris attacks will follow the debate.

A CBS News/New York Times poll released Wednesday shows Clinton has support from 52 percent of Democratic primary voters across the U.S., compared with 33 percent for Sanders and 5 percent for O’Malley.

Clinton and foreign policy have been driving the conversation on Twitter ahead of the debate. According to Twitter’s data, 41 percent of the conversation related to the Democratic debate is focused on foreign policy and 33 percent is connected to national security as a result of the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday. Clinton also has been the most searched candidate today on Google, CBS News reported.