“How many people here think we need 23 debates?” Priebus said. “Here’s what we’re going to do: we’re going to take this 23-debate traveling circus, and we’re going to pick the moderators.”

Priebus previously threatened to withhold debates from CNN and NBC (MSNBC’s parent network) when they were planning projects based on Hillary Clinton. Both projects were later canceled.

In his speech, Priebus also urged his party to be more focused on the “mechanics” of political campaigns, pointing to Democrats’ efforts to register tens of thousands of voters in a swing state like Florida.