Chris Wallace, moderator of the first GOP debate, plans ‘some doozies’

Washington Post ^ | 8/4/15 | Krissah Thompson

[jimbo123]

Chris Wallace tapped the black three-ring binder resting on the corner of his desk. “I’ve got some doozies in there,” he said, eyebrow raised provocatively.

The unlabeled binder holds the veteran Fox News anchor’s questions for Thursday’s Republican primary debate, for which he will serve as a moderator. Clamped inside it are newspaper clippings, memos to his researcher and outlines of what the hodgepodge of presidential candidates vying to top the GOP field have been saying about the issues and about each other.

It has become a primary-season ritual for Wallace, a fixture at Fox News for more than a decade, to challenge and goad the packed roster of Republican candidates. But this debate in Cleveland, the first of the 2016 election season, may be in a league of its own.

Aside from what Wallace calls the “Trump factor” — Donald Trump, the unpredictable tycoon whose off-the-cuff quips and slams have been roiling the GOP — there’s the unwieldy size of the field. Of the 17 declared candidates, Fox will allow only the top 10, as determined by five of the most recent national polls, into Thursday’s debate.

“There’s so doggone many,” said Wallace, 67, sitting at his desk in Fox’s Washington bureau. The decision to pack the stage was made above his pay grade, he adds. “Will [the debate] be as great as it would be if there were three or four candidates? No. But it’s clear from the polls, people are far from decided.”

[jimbo123]

Jeb needs extra practice time from Fox to rehearse his answers in ENGLISH.

[Arm_Bears]

I don’t think we do, for the most part.

Look at the Republican gains in 2010, 2012, and 2014.

The American people want change, but get sold out when the “leaders” they elect “grow in office.”

[rbg81]

Maybe he’ll ask Trump why he’s a racist? And then he’ll ask Bush about how many pounds he lost on the Paleo diet.

[envisio]

Meanwhile... His questions for Hillary:

Mrs President, what is your favorite color?
How do you choose your wardrobe for the day?
How wonderful are you?

[jimbo123]

Wallace is on a mission to rescue both Hillary and Jebicito’s campaign.

[Lisbon1940]

Kelly is apt to lob some grenades as well.

[caww]

Wallace will attach...you can count on it....just as he said.....“I certainly think my style is adversarial.”

One could imagine Wallace believing this is “Wallaces Reality Show” rather than a good look at the candidates.

The fact Wallace used some of his vacation time ‘in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., to start working on his questions makes you wonder which one in the Obama administration was vacationing there as well.

[hoosiermama]

It’s obvious to us. Will it be obvious to others?

[caww]

Remember Gingrich used his response to go after Wallace when he put him in his place saying....“I wish you would put aside the ‘gotcha’ questions,” ....(the former House speaker said to sustained applause.).... “I’d love to see the rest of tonight’s debate asking us about what we would do to lead an America whose president has failed to lead, instead of playing Mickey Mouse games!”

Wallace tried to save face but was booed loudly by the crowd.

I think Trump and some of the others might do likewise since the media’s already building this debate about Wallace rather than the candidates.

[huldah1776]

wallaby is as aggressive as a flea. I would go progressive liberal on them and find out how they’ll handle the enemy.

[dware]

Look at the Republican gains in 2010, 2012, and 2014.

Wait a sec...we GAINED?!?!? /sarc

[jimbo123]

Rupert Murdoch would support Jeb Bush or Hillary Clinton in 2016

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rupert-murdoch-would-support-jeb-bush-or-hillary-clinton-in-2016/article/2553662

[Arm_Bears]

Hard to believe, isn’t it?

[Bobalu]

He should pull a Henny Youngman!

Whenever Henny was asked to do a benefit or a roast he would get to the podium and just launch into his usual routine of one-liners... never mentioning the benefit or the roastee. It was a hoot.

If the moderator asks Trump a stupid question he should just say "That's a stupid question" and launch into his fine talking points...lol. It would drive them nuts :-)

If anyone takes a verbal poke at him he should just say the guy is a total loser and has no business being on the stage.

If Trump gets in one good line of the quality of Reagan's "I will not exploit my opponent's youth and inexperience" just stick the crown on him because he has won the election.

Take me wife, please!

[RetSignman]

Speaking in Spanish, Bush said: “We are very Hispanic, in that we speak Spanish in the house. Columba is a good Mexican, proud of her citizenship of this country, of course, but we eat Mexican food in the home. My children are Hispanic in many aspects. We don’t talk about it, but the Hispanic influence is an important part of my life.” They are SO Mehican their Mehican cook only cooks their meals in a Mehican oven.

[caww]

Wallace will be aggressive...he likes to trip candidates up...taking pot shots as if he’s the star of the show. I really don’t care for the man. His job should be to let the candidates speak no matter if they answer his pre-cooked questions or not.

[NormsRevenge]

FauX Nooz Presents..

A Debate.. well, sort of, kind if,,

[jonrick46]

For the media it would be to their advantage to throw red meat into the forum pit to get the candidates fighting with each other. A dog pile would be fantastic. It would shoot up viewership and shoot the Republicans in the foot.

These candidates should turn outward to the Democrats. I want them falling all over each other trying to make their case against the Democrats and der Hildebeast. Make the Democrats look like the clowns they are.

[jpsb]

Didn’t Murdock put out a contract on Trump? Megyn Kelly certainly acts like she is the hit girl.

[PghBaldy]

...and his children played ICE & Coyotes instead of Cowboys & Indians...