2008 Woodie Awards
Moderators turn presidential debate into show-off
Keva Roberts
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Opinion
With the Pennsylvania primaries looming in the distance, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton entered into another death match showdown; only this time they gained two new components.
Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos.
Both Stephanopoulos and Gibson are two distinguished journalists, that's a fact. Charlie and George always give me the goods and tell me what I need to know when I watch Good Morning America. It's not a good morning without GMA. But in the last debate, Gibson and Stephanopoulos wanted to be part of the debate action. While journalists should be well-informed about the presidential candidates, my gripe with Charles Gibson as a moderator began when he moderated one of the Kerry/Bush debates.
When Gibson moderated the second presidential debate between presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry and presidential hopeless George W. Bush, he did a less then perfect job. Gibson informed the audience that the "stop light" timing system would be used: green light at 30 seconds, yellow light at 15 seconds and a flashing red light meant shut your trap, unless you were President Bush.
Gibson did not maintain control of the debate; instead, he let a structured timing system turn into a free for all.
The most recent debate between Obama and Clinton didn't turn into a squabble because both candidates have too much class and respect for each other to fall into that trap, but there were moments that had viewers questioning whether or not Gibson and Stephanopoulos were debating as well, especially when they would intermittently interrupt Senator Clinton or Senator Obama. That was the worst. They're trying to answer your obviously loaded questions, and then they're interrupted so you can show us you did your homework Charlie Gibson. This viewer is no fan of the interruption train.
Of course Obama was grilled about the Reverend Wright comments, and Clinton was asked about remarks made about her trip to Bosnia, issues that were already dealt with and only included in the debate for effect.
Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos.
Both Stephanopoulos and Gibson are two distinguished journalists, that's a fact. Charlie and George always give me the goods and tell me what I need to know when I watch Good Morning America. It's not a good morning without GMA. But in the last debate, Gibson and Stephanopoulos wanted to be part of the debate action. While journalists should be well-informed about the presidential candidates, my gripe with Charles Gibson as a moderator began when he moderated one of the Kerry/Bush debates.
When Gibson moderated the second presidential debate between presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry and presidential hopeless George W. Bush, he did a less then perfect job. Gibson informed the audience that the "stop light" timing system would be used: green light at 30 seconds, yellow light at 15 seconds and a flashing red light meant shut your trap, unless you were President Bush.
Gibson did not maintain control of the debate; instead, he let a structured timing system turn into a free for all.
The most recent debate between Obama and Clinton didn't turn into a squabble because both candidates have too much class and respect for each other to fall into that trap, but there were moments that had viewers questioning whether or not Gibson and Stephanopoulos were debating as well, especially when they would intermittently interrupt Senator Clinton or Senator Obama. That was the worst. They're trying to answer your obviously loaded questions, and then they're interrupted so you can show us you did your homework Charlie Gibson. This viewer is no fan of the interruption train.
Of course Obama was grilled about the Reverend Wright comments, and Clinton was asked about remarks made about her trip to Bosnia, issues that were already dealt with and only included in the debate for effect.
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