The best and worst moderator moments in the GOP debate
Up: Real policy questions. Down: Letting themselves be ignored.
Unlike the CNBC debate of two weeks ago, the moderators of the Republican debate on Fox Business on Tuesday largely stayed away from the center of the action. That hands-off plan was a major contrast to the widely denounced CNBC performance , when the moderators were criticzed by GOP candidates for repeatedly asking “gotcha’’ questions with little substance.
The Fox Business team of Maria Bartiromo, Neil Cavuto, and Gerard Baker got their share of praise from candidates and the Republican National Convention – though whether that’s a good thing is up for debate.
Here’s a rundown of their best and worst moments from Tuesday’s debate.
Up: Actual questions on policy
The moderators tried a novel tactic: Actually asking questions on policy that show real differences between candidates. Weird!
To start, the moderators asked about raising the minimum wage. Donald Trump, Ben Carson, and Marco Rubio said they wouldn’t raise it. John Kasich said he supported a raise in Ohio. Just like that, you’ve got a debate.
Compare that opener to CNBC’s first question, which asked candidates to name their biggest weakness.
Down: Failing to call out incorrect facts
In responding to a question about the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the recently signed trade deal between the U.S. and 11 other countries, Donald Trump criticized the deal for not talking enough about China.
The TPP was “designed for China to come in as they always do through the back door and totally take advantage of everyone,’’ Trump said.
Only one problem.
“Hey, Gerard,’’ Rand Paul said, “we might want to point out China is not part of this deal.’’
It was a nice rebuttal by using a basic fact check. That responsibility is also supposed to be the job of the moderators. They failed in this instance.
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Up: Ben Carson’s biography question
The moderators pointedly asked Carson about the half-dozen challenges to his personal story in recent weeks, and whether that is taking away from his message.
“First of all, thank you for not asking me what I said in the 10th grade. I appreciate that,’’ Carson responded. “I have no problem with being vetted. What I do have a problem with is being lied about.’’
Carson then explained that, although he had claimed that West Point offered him a full scholarship, he had been “misinterpreting’’ that. That was different, he said, than Hillary Clinton’s outright lies.
In all, the question successfully put Carson on the defensive, allowed him to explain, and got a nice attack quote out of him.
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Down: Being flat-out ignored
Fox Business’s ringing bell was supposed to mean the candidates are out of time to speak. Instead, the candidates largely ignored the noise, and the moderators let them continue talking. So much for that.
But it was in the earlier undercard debate that the moderators’ lack of power was really exposed. Gerald Seib asked each candidate to name one Democrat they admired. Since, you know, working with other politicians is a basic part of being president.
Bobby Jindal said the question was “silly’’ and that he wanted to fire everyone in D.C. Mike Huckabee took his cue next.
“Well, since we’re not going to answer the question, let me just remind everybody: tomorrow is Veterans Day,’’ Huckabee said.
Neither Chris Christie nor Rick Santorum named someone either. The moderators gave up trying to push them on it.
Gallery: The 2016 presidential candidates
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