Chris Wallace blames Trump for chaotic debate: He 'bears the primary responsibility'

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

New York (CNN Business)Chris Wallace, the Fox News anchor who moderated Tuesday's debate, is placing the bulk of the blame on President Donald Trump for sending the political showdown into chaos.

Wallace, who had in a Wednesday interview with The New York Times declined to pin the culpability on Trump, told his colleague Bill Hemmer during an interview Thursday that he believes Trump "bears the primary responsibility for what happened."

"I had baked this beautiful, delicious cake and then frankly the President put his foot in it," Wallace said.

"That was frustrating," Wallace added. "It was frustrating for me because I tried hard to prepare for a serious debate, much more frustrating and more importantly for the American people because they didn't get the debate they wanted that they deserved."


Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/media/chris-wallace-trump-biden-debate/index.html

[WA-03 Democrat]

1. Really?

You were the moderator and didn’t stop that abortion of a debate.

“I take no responsibility at all” are their new magic words.

[regnaD kciN]

8. Frankly, there wasn't much he could do...

...considering that the rules didn't allow him to have a "mute switch."

Could he have tried to lecture Trump? He did try -- and Trump simply shouted right over him, repeatedly. About the only thing he could have done was, as you suggest, just ordered the debate to be stopped. But what would have happened then? Would the networks have simply cut off their camera feeds? Doubt it -- it would have been "must-see TV." Maybe he could have simply walked off (Biden as well), but Trump would then have had the stage to himself for the remainder of the airtime...and the narrative would have been that "the moderator was in league with the Democrat candidate, and stopped the proceedings when it was clear he was being badly beaten."

[WA-03 Democrat]

10. Stopping an out of control debate

Is the moderators biggest job. You’ll be happy with the next question is adding what value?

Chris Wallace did George Wallace proud!

[Destroy76]

13. shut up man

my take on that moment was that wallace was desperately trying to distract trump
with a shiny object of a question he’d like to try to get him to shut up.

[PatSeg]

14. I agree

I couldn't see what else Wallace could have done given the circumstances. The fault for that debacle was all on Trump, no one else.

[justgamma]

2. We've all watched the orange one

for 4 years, if they didn't know that he doesn't think rules are for him, they weren't paying attention.

[regnaD kciN]

3. "I had baked this beautiful, delicious cake..."

[elleng]

7. Thanks for the reminder.

[Marcuse]

9. Someone left the cake out in the golden shower.

[ResistantAmerican17]

4. The same Chris Wallace that was fluffing drumph with lines like

“You’re going to like this next question Mr. President.”? That Chris Wallace?

[BumRushDaShow]

17. THIS

And did that multiple times - like trying to distract a kid in a meltdown - "Here, take this cookie. Don't you want your little blue truck?"

[AkFemDem]

5. I'm a fan of just nodding and smiling...

Amicably and saying “mmhmm” when I see anyone republicans normally listen to turn on Trump.

[djacq]

6. Mr. "You'll be happy" Chris Wallace

Chris Wallace repeatedly coddles Trump in debate: “You’ll be happy” with the next question;

[link:https://www.mediamatters.org/chris-wallace/chris-wallace-repeatedly-coddles-trump-debate-youll-be-happy-next-question|

Didn't know that the job of the Moderator is to make the Nominees happy

[BootinUp]

11. His description is revealing

he's way too much about making / baking news than reporting it.

[Aussie105]

12. What we need for the next debate . . . .

Two sound proof booths, with a partition in between, so Trump can't fume and bluster just at the sight of Biden.

And a mute button of course.

Better still, a two way switch. Only one speaks while the other is muted.

Sorry about your cake Chris. Trump stepped in it bigly!

On the other hand . . . helpers standing by with tranquilizer spray and cattle prods might work too.

[Mz Pip]

15. I don't understand his surprise.

This is how Trump’s behaved for years. He’s showed the world what a douche he is. How can anyone be taken aback by his behavior at this point?

[DinahMoeHum]

16. Chris Wallace is a wet shitstain on his father's legacy.

Sheesh, what an asshole. But when you work for Fox News, there's no telling how screwed up you're gonna get.

[ResistantAmerican17]

18. Now THAT'S a visual to start my day! Thank you for that!

[Mike Nelson]

19. I'm surprised...

... that they would allow Chris Wallace to moderate the debate. This is a big, important gig. Someone as unfamiliar with Crooked Donald as Wallace should have been out of the running... they should have chosen someone with more experience - someone who has watched Crooked Donald over the past few years... someone with more solid experience in journalism.