Garrett: ‘CNBC Has Endured Withering Criticism for the Conduct of Its Moderators’

PELLEY: “Today, the Republican Party pulled out of a presidential debate that NBC News was scheduled to host in February. The GOP is angry about the way another NBC outlet, CNBC, handled this week's debate. Here's Major Garrett.”

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GARRETT (voice-over): “In a letter from Republican [National] Committee Chairman Reince Priebus to NBC, Priebus said the network and its subsidiary, CNBC, conducted Wednesday's GOP debate 'in bad faith.' 'We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns,' the letter said. Priebus accused CNBC of ignoring a commitment to ask questions about the economy, and called the questions its moderators did ask, 'inaccurate and offensive.' CNBC has endured withering Republican criticism for the conduct of its moderators, typified by exchanges like this.”

HARWOOD: “What should we do?”

CHRISTIE: “What we should do is to be investing in all types of energy, John – all types of energy. I've laid out –“

HARWOOD: “Meaning government?”

CHRISTIE: “No, John. John, do you want me to answer, or do you want to answer? How are we going to do this? Because — because, I got to tell you the truth — even in New Jersey, what you're doing is called rude.”

GARRETT (voice-over): “NBC called the RNC's move 'disappointing;' but said it 'will work in good faith to resolve this matter with the Republican Party.' GOP front-runners Ben Carson and Donald Trump have both called for new debate formats.”

CARSON: “What it's turned into is a 'gotcha.' That's silly.”

TRUMP: “Maybe every moderator should show that they vote Republican. The questions were so nasty.”

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GARRETT: Several Republicans campaigns, dissatisfied by the current debate format, will meet Sunday in Washington to discuss changes to future debates. Scott?”

PELLEY: “Major Garrett reporting for us tonight in the Washington newsroom — Major, thank you.”