In 2011, Bloomberg News presented its first ever presidential debate. With the nation facing sustained high unemployment as well as concern over deficits, weak growth and a possible double-dip recession, the Bloomberg debate devoted the entire program to a substantive exploration of the candidates’ specific plans for national economic recovery. 

Moderated by Charlie Rose, the candidates were asked to outline their economic and job creation proposals in a unique format: seated side-by-side at a round table facing the hosts and surrounded by audience members. This format (familiar to viewers of Charlie Rose) also facilitated serious and substantive debate on issues of vital importance to the country. 

The debate, which was  broadcast live on Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio was also available to viewers across multiple digital platforms including via livestream on Bloomberg.com, Businessweek.com, Bloomberg Mobile and through the Bloomberg app on most streaming and OTT services.

In addition to actual debate, the days leading up to the main event we were live from Dartmouth campus, with anchors Margaret Brennan, Tom Keene and Washington executive editor Al Hunt reporting on the latest job numbers, the unemployment rate and examining the candidate’s economic proposals with input from Dartmouth students and New Hampshire business leaders.

Throughout the debate we extended to second screen viewing with live blogs from Bloomberg View editors Michael Kinsley and Francis Wilkinson as well as supplemental in-depth coverage of the candidates’ economic policy proposals, as well as profiles of the candidates, behind-the-scene debate previews and real time fact checking courtesy of Bloomberg Government, Bloomberg’s comprehensive source for quantifying the business impact of government action. 

The debate also served as a launching pad for a comprehensive yearlong, company-wide initiative called “The Economy Election” featuring a robust line-up of reporters and commentators uniquely positioned to focus on the election’s most pressing issues – jobs and the economy.