Of the four 2012 debates who do you think was the best moderator? Why?

1. 62

   bizzymomposted 11 years ago

   Of the four 2012 debates who do you think was the best moderator? Why?
   
   Do you think the moderators should be more neutral rather than pro a certain political party or candidate in future debates?  It is my belief that the moderators tried to stay somewhat neutral, but at least one was blatantly pro Democrat.  I would prefer if the moderators were extremely neutral so that I couldn't even guess what political party they favor.  That  would be a true debate.  Both candidates deserve to speak without being interrupted, however the moderators seemed to let one candidate interrupt constantly and cut off the other candidate promising that he will have a chance later.

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2. 0

   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   I think Bob Shieffer did the best out of all of the moderators, mainly because he seemed to have control and didn't allow Romney to go off on his long rants that didn't have anything to do with the original question that was asked. He just appeared more in control.

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3. 63

   Perspycaciousposted 11 years ago

   Frankly?  I think each did a poor job. Neither "moderator" nor the verb "to moderate" has a clear definition.  If the job was to treat each side equally and control the time and adherence to responding directly to the original question,they each failed.
   Obama seemed determined to have more time with his face before the public and there were debates where the measured time of each candidate's responses showed that disproportion (I suspect it was the case in the last debate, but I haven't seen any statistics on that as yet.)  Most answers were not confined to the "2 minute rule" nor were rebuttals confined to their "1 minute rule" and both candidates bullied the moderator with their demands, and were discourteous with their interruptions when it was the other candidate's turn.  Romney won the first debate partly from his even and temperate responses.  He was even or lost the second debate by getting as intemperate as Obama.  Romney, perhaps on the advice of his advisors, went back to being temperate in the third debate, whereas he could easily have pointed out that weapons we supplied in Libya were too sophisticated, too numerous, and remain largely unaccounted for and a direct threat to us.  Both are capable in terms of intellect and education, well-spoken and astute.  The moderators gave too much deference to the candidates both of whom ignored the rules.  The listeners were the losers because more questions could have been asked but were not because time was wasted when the rules were ignored.  Once that happened, the quality of the "debates" suffered.

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4. 80

   Wayne Brownposted 11 years ago

   Schiffer wins it but we must also give consideration to the fact that he had subject matter which was not as hotly contested as what was encountered in the first two debates.  Crowley loses by total default.  I give Jim Lerher honorable mention for trying his best.  ~WB

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5. 89

   Doc Snowposted 11 years ago

   On this topic, I combine ignorance and apathy--that is, I neither know nor care about the moderators.
   
   I was much more concerned about the quality of the candidate's thought, and the relevance same to what I consider to be the really crucial issues.  And on that count, all four debates flunked roundly, so much so that I just had to write a whole Hub about it as soon as I got up this morning....

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6. 70

   recappers delightposted 11 years ago

   Each of them had fairly significant flaws. Lehrer lost control of the proceedings completely. Crowley kept control well, but her bias towards Obama showed. Shieffer allowed a debate about foreign policy to become a stump speech by Romney, who did not wish to discuss foreign policy because he's not good at it.
   
   I would have liked to have seen a firm, fair, unbiased moderator who had control of the proceedings and did not let either candidate cheat. I don think we saw that.

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   1. 60

      tinamariemillerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Schieffer because he did not interject very often.  We were able to hear the debate between the two.

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7. 84

   Life and Luxuryposted 11 years ago

   I liked Candy Crowley. I think she just was more likable and personable. I didn't like that blonde lady, and the other two guys, including Lehrer, were just bland.

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   1. 63

      Perspycaciousposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How much did Candy's comments match with your own?

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8. 61

   fpherj48posted 11 years ago

   I wouldn't even offer my opinion on this.  I feel a debate moderator has a tough position.  In this case, it was even tougher.  They were in the ring with some overly aggressive, desperate candidates, struggling to out-do one another, get their points (lies) across, while denying comments made by their opponents , against them.
   I didn't see either side playing fair, following rules about "time" or being very respectful to any of the moderators.  Basically, they all took turns (especially Biden and Romney) running the moderators over with a freight train.
   Candy broke way too many moderator guidelines!  Typical woman....had to have the last damned word.  I was embarrassed for Joe.....I like him (as a person and father) but debate night, it was as though he was on break from his job as circus clown.   
   None of the debates impressed me much at all.....but then, Politicians have never impressed me.   I'm terribly adverse to liars, phonies, manipulators and ego-maniacs.......
   If I were ever in a position to moderate a debate between politicians, I'd sooner stick needles in my eyes.

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9. 79

   tipstoretireearlyposted 11 years ago

   Candy Crowley was the best.  She kept control of the debate.

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