"Don't quit your day job, boss."
Well, he didn't put it that way exactly, but the Des Moines Register's David Yepsen was not too impressed with editor Carolyn Washburn's job as moderator in the December 12 debate:
The debate was intentionally focused away from the war since that has been a focus of many of the earlier debates. That gave Paul a chance to talk more about his economic conservatism and libertarian ideas which are more appealing to mainstream conservative Republicans. [...]
The biggest problem in the debate was that it wasn’t really a debate. Candidates got almost no opportunity to grill one another. Often they ran out of time and were cut off just as they started to probe an opponent.The event would have been more nourishing had the candidates and the format allowed for more back and forth.
We'll see if the Democratic debate reverses course and tackles Iraq and immigration, or if it actually allows some back-and-forth between candidates, particularly Sen. Clinton and Obama.
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What Amazes Me
December 13, 2007 - 14:45 ET by BourbeauWhat amazes me is there's all this nonsense before hand about the ciriticality of the last debate before the caucus and yet you end up with results that are marginal, at best. How is it these candidates get roped into these debates, and yet seem to have no say on who will moderate and the ground rules that will ensue? The moderator yesterday came across totally incompetent. Charles Krauthammer called it the worst debate ever broadcast, and I don't think he was far off the mark. And how in hell did that pompous ass Alan Keyes weasel his way into the debate? If I were Giulianni, Romney or Thompson, I would have walked off the stage just for that stupidity.
Who is this wretched excuse for a moderator?
December 13, 2007 - 15:02 ET by ThalpyWho is this wretched excuse for a moderator? Had enough?
if it actually
December 13, 2007 - 15:11 ET by general companyif it actually allows some back-and-forth between candidates, particularly Sen. Clinton and Obama.
Wont be any time for that, not with all of the Bush bashing and Repub bashing they need to get in.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
Bush bashing began in 5 seconds
December 13, 2007 - 19:30 ET by ThisnThatI watched the first 5 minutes of the Dim debate today. I forget the question, but the first answer to the first question blamed President Bush within 5 seconds. Not exactly a world record (I don't think) -- but very quick, very lame, and very predictable. As you said.
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Reemphasised
December 13, 2007 - 23:35 ET by Jerry MackI watched the entire debate. I wanted to hear their position on our dependence on foreign oil. Same answer; build more wind mills, sun catchers and develop alternative fuels. All of them agreed that we must sacrifice until this is accomplished. A political way of saying that they do not give a damn if we have to pay encreasing cost for oil and all related products.