The supposedly non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates has announced the moderators for the upcoming presidential and vice-presidential debates and they all have three things in common...they're all Democrats, they're all talking heads for the mainstream media and with one possible exception, they're all rooting for Hillary Clinton.
First presidential debate: Lester Holt, Anchor, NBC Nightly News
Democrat, grew up in Marin County north of San Francisco, (arguably the most far left county in America), lives in Manhattan.
Vice-presidential debate: Elaine Quijano, Anchor, CBSN and Correspondent, CBS News
Democrat,used to work for CNN, grew up in Chicago, lives in New York.
Second presidential debate: Martha Raddatz, Chief Global Affairs Correspondent and Co-Anchor of "This Week," ABC
Democrat. Lives in Arlington, VA. Used to be married to uber-liberal Ben Bradlee and was so ineffectual at 'moderating' the 2012 debate between Paul Ryan and Joe Biden that even Saturday Night Live parodied it.
and
Anderson Cooper, Anchor, CNN
Democrat. Born in New York City and still lives there. Perhaps the most openly anti-Trump on and off the air than anyone else on this list. Fun fact: Even though he's openly gay, he habitually refers to the book that calls for him and others with his lifestyle to be murdered as 'the Holy Qu'ran' and rabidly supports a presidential candidate who promises she will bring thousands of people into America from countries where murdering gays is perfectly acceptable because Allah said so. Go figure!
Third Presidential Debate: Chris Wallace, Anchor, Fox News Sunday
Democrat. Son of über lefty CBS newsman Mike Wallace and stepson of former President of Bill Leonard, a longtime Democrat fundraiser who Wallace has referred to as 'the most influential man in my life.' Worked for NBC and ABC. Has kept mum about whom he supports, but has been noticeably aggressive towards Trump.
Sounds like a totally balanced and non-partisan crew to me! I'm surprised Candy Crowley didn't make the cut this year.
And just to add to the fun, the CPD also announced that Steve Scully, Senior Executive Producer, White House and Political Editor for C-SPAN Networks, will serve as backup moderator for all the debates. He's reportedly noted for his even handedness and I hoipe it's true. But he also learned his trade by interning for Sen. Joe Biden and serving as a staff assistant in Sen. Ted Kennedy’s media affairs office.
Since neither of these intensely partisan pols would ever hire a Republican, we can assume that Sculley is a Democrat as well.
I'm not certain whether Trump has a veto on this, but I can think of any number of media figures capable of moderating the debates in a fair and impartial manner, or whom would at least make the moderator gig more balanced. Especially since most of the 'moderators' named here are almost certain to jump in and do their bit to push Mrs. Clinton over the line.
Actually, if I were Trump I'd insist on Lincoln-Douglas style debates. The candidates each speak in turn and respond to each other...no 'moderators,' just a timekeeper. Now that would really show us something about the candidates.
So why does Trump put up with it? I know why the GOP puts up with - they like to lose. But why Trump?
ReplyDeleteIt's ridiculous that they didn't have Hannity moderate one of the debates. His interviews with Trump have been really fair and he isn't afraid to ask Trump tough questions. He's also been too deferential to Clinton and I can even see him taking it easy on Hillary during the debate and really holding Trump's feet to the fire. These debates would be so much better with a nonpartisan like Hannity.
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