CNN today announced that the footage from its debates will be made available to the public.  CNN is the first major network to do so.

While NBC made it abundantly clear that they would not allow use of “their” footage, the CNN release indicates that someone there understands the point of our effort.

Due to the historical nature of presidential debates and the significance of these forums to the American public, CNN believes strongly that the debates should be accessible to the public. The candidates need to be held accountable for what they say throughout the election process. The presidential debates are an integral part of our system of government, in which the American people have the opportunity to make informed choices about who will serve them. Therefore, CNN debate coverage will be made available without restrictions at the conclusion of each live debate. We believe this is good for the country and good for the electoral process.

If only the RNC had taken a similarly principled stand.