I’ve always wondered why the debates use a media figure as a moderator instead of, you know, a professional debate judge/moderator.
Republicans get taken to the cleaners every election cycle on the choice of moderators. Why not Hannity or Marc Levin for a change ?
The corporate media debate dominance is probably over. The bias is really outrageous. Chris Wallace and Susan Page will never get a presidential moderator gig again.
From Kennedy to Reagan, it seemed like the debates had a moderator to keep time and a panel to ask questions. The panel was made up of newspaper and magazine writers, and occasionally a reporter from the network that was covering the debate. They would take turns asking their questions.
If we must have a media moderator, I'd like to see a newspaper reporter do it. They may be more knowledgeable about the subject, but they'd also likely be more introverted and less likely to interrupt the candidates as they answer the questions.
-PJ