The debate moderator no one is talking about

Canada Free Press ^ | 08/09/15 | Arthur Weinreb

[Sean_Anthony]

The Canadian debate was in sharp contrast to the main Republican debate that saw Fox News in a blatant attempt to take down Donald Trump, especially with Kelly’s “war on women” question

Thursday was a busy night. At 5 pm (all times Eastern) the second tier Republican debate took place. Later at 8:50 pm, the debate between the top 10 Republican presidential candidates began. And if that wasn’t enough, for Canadians in general and Torontonians in particular, the Toronto Blue Jays were home to the Minnesota Twins. The Jays have become a lot more exciting to watch after the acquisition of Troy Tulowitzki and pitcher David Price shortly before the trade deadline. For the first time in years, many baseball fans feel the team could go all the way.

Thursday was a busy night. At 5 pm (all times Eastern) the second tier Republican debate took place. Later at 8:50 pm, the debate between the top 10 Republican presidential candidates began. And if that wasn’t enough, for Canadians in general and Torontonians in particular, the Toronto Blue Jays were home to the Minnesota Twins. The Jays have become a lot more exciting to watch after the acquisition of Troy Tulowitzki and pitcher David Price shortly before the trade deadline. For the first time in years, many baseball fans feel the team could go all the way.

[sphinx]

I thought the questions were fair. Fox News obviously lined up the toughest questions they could think of, and asked them in an adversarial manner. This is the kind of thing our candidates will have to face in the campaign. I thought our guys missed a few opportunities but overall handled it well.

I would love the see the Democrats subjected to this kind of questioning, but I don't think that will happen.

[ClearCase_guy]

I thought the questions were fair.

SNIP

I would love the see the Democrats subjected to this kind of questioning, but I don't think that will happen.

I think context is everything. If the Democrats are not subjected to this kind of questioning, then the questions directed at Republicans are NOT fair. Pretty much by definition.

[hlmencken3]

This was supposed to be a Republican debate, not a general election debate, and even less should it have been a moderators versus candidate debate. The Republican National Committee is 100% responsible.

[RightGeek]

Good article - why can’t we have debates without media prima donnas injecting themselves into them?

[sphinx]

The Republican candidates need all the practice they can get answering hostile questioning, because they will get a steady diet of it on the campaign trail. The Democrats will get an occasional tough question, and the press will wet its pants over how unfair it is. Mostly they will skate.

Reporter: "Mrs. Clinton, questions have been raised about your use of a personal server while serving as Secretary of State. Let me ask ...."

Hillary: "Let me stop you right there. This is old news. I have answered all those questions, and I have turned over everything that has been asked of me. I have been completely transparent, as I will be as president. The right wing attack machine is playing the politics of personal destruction, and I'm glad that the public sees through it."

Reporter: "Yes, we understand all of that, and I'm sorry to bring it up, but I wanted you to have a chance to respond. Why do you think the Republicans are so mean to you? Do you think they would treat a man this way?"

[9YearLurker]

You’ve got to be kidding—Jeb got softballs all night.

[xzins]

There are too many who have reported that Fox News was in attack mode directed at Donald Trump. A simple observation shows that’s is an absolutely rational analysis of the debate.

I don’t think it’s a close call. However, I’d listen to someone who thought otherwise who acknowledged at a minimum that there seemed to be bad blood between the moderators and Trump.

[biff]

I would love for any of our candidates to look with steely eyes at Megyn Kelly and say, “there is no republican war on women, never was and never will be, Mizz Megyn”. Trump would be good at delivering this line.

[Teacher317]

I thought the questions were fair. Fox News obviously lined up the toughest questions they could think of, and asked them in an adversarial manner.

Please do provide the video link where Jeb was asked a tough question in an adversarial manner. We'll wait.

[Teacher317]

Jeb's questions, from the transcript:

1. Do you understand the real concern in this country about dynastic politics?
2. To the families of those who died in that war who say they liberated and deposed a ruthless dictator, how do you look at them now and say that your brother's war was a mistake?
3. President Obama's secretary of education, Arnie Duncan, has said that most of the criticism of Common Core is due to a, quote, "fringe group of critics." Do you think that's accurate?
4. You have promised four percent economic growth and 19 million new jobs if you are fortunate enough to serve two terms as president...
5. On the subject of name calling of your fellow candidates, a story appeared today quoting an anonymous GOP donor who said you called Mr. Trump a clown, a buffoon, something else that cannot be repeated on television...

1. Make us feel better about another Bush, please
2. Criticize the unpopular Iraq War and maybe your brother as well, please
3. Criticize the unpopular Common Core, please.
4. Let us revel in your empty economic promises, please.
5. Someone said you called Mr Trump mean names. Did you call Mr Trump mean names? No? Okay, thanks. We didn't want to do any actual research ourselves.

In a highly contentious debate, this was NOT "fair and balanced" with the current number one candidate getting ambushed from the opening, and the establishment candidate in second place getting softballs

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I thought the questions were fair.

. . . I would love the see the Democrats subjected to this kind of questioning, but I don't think know perfectly well that will not happen.

If the Democrats are not subjected to this kind of questioning, then the questions directed at Republicans are NOT fair.

The decision to do exclusively hostile questioning, when FNC was chosen for this event by the Republican Party precisely because no Republican trusted any other news organization not to do that, was a betrayal of “fair and balanced.” Unless of course FNC can subject HRC to a far more severe grilling than it subjected Donald Trump to. Why more severe? Because, all by itself, Servergate is radically worse than anything Mr. Trump has ever been accused of. And then there is Foundationgate, and FBI Filegate, Fostergate, Travelgate, and a list of other stink-to-high-heaven scandals connected to Hillary by at least circumstantial evidence that stretches to the horizon.

We all wish FNC success in its effort to resurrect the reputation with the audience which it had seemed to deserve.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

with the current number one candidate getting ambushed from the opening, and the establishment candidate in second place getting softballs . . . In a highly contentious debate, this was NOT "fair and balanced"

I was so absorbed, in my post-debate analysis, with the contrast between Mr. Trump’s treatment and that which is/will be accorded the Democrats in general and Hillary Clinton in particular that I overlooked the fact that Bush did indeed get softballs. Very salient point!