MSNBC contributor Howard Fineman lamented how the president was on the defensive in his first bout with Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Jim Lehrer, who moderated the October 3 debate, has a history of bias that is usually cloaked with his soporific disposition. However, Fineman seemed agitated to the point of calling Lehrer “useless” and equated his moderating of the debate to “criminal negligence.” Fineman’s ire seems to be indicative of liberals’ reaction towards Obama’s poor debate performance.
HOWARD FINEMAN: In terms of debate tactics, Romney was on the offensive most of the time – the president did very well on Medicare, but for the rest of it – and Obamacare – rest of it he did not. He missed many chances to correct the record or to ask questions. Jim Lehrer was practically useless as the moderator. It was criminal negligence not to follow up on the question – Mr. Romney specifically what tax loopholes or deductions do you want to get rid of – he didn’t ask it. The president should have asked it. That’s only one example of many and it was clear to everybody in this room tonight what happened in this debate.
