Kristen Welker praised for 'masterclass' debate moderation, Chris Wallace is 'jealous'

[mfcorey1]

After Fox News' Chris Wallace failed to maintain order during the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, Welker was applauded for Thursday's controlled exchange.

Even Wallace admitted he was "jealous." During Fox News' post-debate coverage, Wallace said: "I would have liked to have been able to moderate that debate and to get a real exchange of views instead of hundreds of interruptions.”

Veteran news anchor Dan Rather gave a "tip of the Stetson to Kristen Welker." He called her "a consummate pro on a big and difficult stage."

USA TODAY's Susan Page, who moderated the vice presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence earlier this month, applauded Welker on Twitter: "Kudos to @kwelkernbc for a job well done tonight, and a service to our nation."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/kristen-welker-praised-for-masterclass-debate-moderation-chris-wallace-is-jealous/ar-BB1ajtY6?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout

[JaneQPublic]

1. She was definitely in charge.

But no doubt the mute button deserves a great deal of credit, as well.

The previous debate would not have been such a dumpster fire had the mute button been deployed.

[SlogginThroughIt]

2. i don't get the praise.

He disregarded her rules all night long and they muted his mice once. Maybe twice. Other than that he continually kept pushing back on her moving the debate firward.

This isn’t so much of a critique on her because Trump does what he does and I don’t think there is anyone that can control him in that situation. But I just don’t get the praise. He again was absolutely an ass.

[Statistical]

5. It was bad but still 100000000000% better than the first debate.

That debate is one for the history books. College kids 60 years from now will be amazed at the sheer awfulness of that debate.

The threat of the mic cut reigned Trump is somewhat that you could at least call it a debate (a debate he lost) instead of whatever that sewage treatment plant on fire was that was called the first debate.

[SlogginThroughIt]

6. But that is my point.

Trump managed to not shit all over the floor so hurray!

[Statistical]

7. It is possible to give someone some praise (the someone being moderator not Trump)

even if things weren't perfect. I don't see anyone saying this was the greatest debate in modern political history. I see people saying she did good but the headline is hyperbolic.

This debate was arguably more like a debate than the burning trainwreck carrying toxic waste that was the first "debate". The moderator IMHO gets some credit for that. It doesn't put her in the moderator hall of fame but she gets some credit in my mind at least.

[lagomorph777]

3. She (with her mute button) did a vastly better job than Wallace or Page.

Kudos to Welker and the Debate Commission.

[octoberlib]

4. It's a little hyperbolic. Not a masterclass.

She had problems controlling Trump. Gave him 10 seconds , let him blabber on for over 30 and let him interrupt Joe.