Democratic debate needed different kind of moderator

I was disappointed by CNN and Anderson Cooper’s combative handling of the Democratic presidential debate. The booming CNN introductory voice-over sounded like a promotion for monster trucks or Monday Night Football.

Cooper’s questions seemed intended to create a reaction or conflict between participants. He was less interested in eliciting policy differences than in putting candidates on the defensive for old, obscure votes and remarks. He attempted to frame the debate into a clash of opposing policy, when in general, there was wide agreement on their vision of the future of the United States. Not very good journalism.

Both parties would be better served if an independent non-partisan organization like the League of Women Voters moderated their debates. Grandstanding correspondents are at best self serving, if not actively inserting their own or their employers views. The object should be to inform the populace, not conduct a gotcha fest.

This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 10:32 AM with the headline "Democratic debate needed different kind of moderator."