CNN releases ‘backup’ audio recordings of tense Warren, Sanders post-debate exchange

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CNN released audio taken after Jan. 14, 2020 debate that clearly depicts Sen. Elizabeth Warren commenting that Sen. Bernie Sanders caller her a “liar” on national TV.

• The pair was already under scrutiny after many observed that Warren rebuffed Sanders’ handshake in the chit-chat and mingling that typically happens after the debate.
• The pair could also be seen speaking to each other, though the audio was inaudible on the broadcast.
• However, CNN had backup audio feeds that were recorded and released the isolated versions of those clips Wednesday evening.
• The network gleefully billed the audio as “exclusive,” which isn’t really all that impressive considering, as host of the debate, it was one of the few entities to have access to raw audio.
• “I think you called me a liar on national TV,” Warren says.
• “What?” is Sanders’ reply.
• “I think you called me a liar on national TV,” Warren repeats on the recording.
• “You know, let’s not do it right now. If you want to have that discussion, we’ll have that discussion,” is Sanders’ response.
• “Anytime,” Warren replied.
• Sanders starts to say something beginning with “You called me a …” but then turned away and walked off.
• It’s not uncommon for live productions such as debates to have redundant backups for audio and other systems — and to record them.
• In fact, many networks use technology that records all of the audio and video feeds from all inputs during live events, not just the shots that are shown on air.
• In addition to the mics built into the lecterns, CNN also had candidates wearing wireless microphones, likely as both a backup and to capture audio exchanges that took place out of range of the lecterns.