CNN Cancels March 1st Debate After Santorum, Romney & Paul Drop Out

CNN has been forced to cancel its March 1 debate in Atlanta after the top two Republicans in the debate canceled their participation.

"With eight other states voting on March 6, we will be campaigning in other parts of the country and unable to schedule the CNN Georgia debate," Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said, which was reported by National Journal. "We have participated in 20 debates, including eight from CNN."

Santorum spokesman Hogan Gidley add that the former PA senator "has no plans of doing it right now." Ron Paul's camp apparently delivered a similar message.

CNN responded to the news on Thursday afternoon.

"Mitt Romney and Ron Paul told the Georgia Republican Party, Ohio Republican Party and CNN Thursday that they will not participate in the March 1 Republican presidential primary debate," CNN said in a statement. "Without full participation of all four candidates, CNN will not move forward with the Super Tuesday debate. However, next week, CNN and the Arizona Republican Party will host all four leading contenders for the GOP nomination. That debate will be held in Mesa, Arizona on February 22 and will be moderated by CNN's John King."