“CNBC’s debate was a mess – and to regular viewers, a regular one.” – Slate
I am not a CNBC viewer and the performance of its moderators during last night’s GOP debate in Colorado reminded me why.
CNBC’s debate losers – Carl Quintanilla, Becky Quick and John Harwood. (foxnews.com)
Tuning in a bit early, I got my first taste of the misinformation for which CNBC has become known, as Joe Kernen was making a comment about people who didn’t want to work longer hours. An obvious slam against Jeb Bush.
In July, Bush made the statement that growing the economy would require people to “work longer hours.” The media on the left had their “gotcha,” never mind that the interviewer followed with “To keep from taking it out of context, what you meant to say – when you say more hours you mean full-time work.” To which, Bush responded, “Yeah, absolutely.”
“Not that a full time guy or somebody working two jobs needs to be working more time,” the interviewer pressed. “Absolutely not,” Bush followed.
The interviewer from the editorial board of the New Hampshire Union Leader clarified Bush’s statement with him on the spot. Kernen failed to do his homework.
When the main event started with moderator Carl Quintanilla asking each candidate to comment about their greatest weakness, I knew I was in for a long tedious night. The New York Times, commenting on that job interview gimmick, suggested the network ask themselves “Where do you see yourself in four years?” And answered, “Maybe not hosting a presidential debate.”
And it went downhill from there as John Harwood and Becky Quick asked more inane questions. Their continued interruptions and opinions were obvious as boos from the audience echoed through the hall. The only bright spot was the brief questioning by Rick Santelli.
Clearly, CNBC not only failed to cover the subject of the economy, but it failed to maintain a semblance of order during the debate. Here are some media views.
NPR: “Consensus was that CNBC was the night’s biggest loser.”
The Boston Globe: “It was a brutal takedown, and CNBC’s smarmy moderators had it coming.”
The Weekly Standard: The Big Loser: CNBC.”
Politico: “Moderators lose control at third GOP debate.
New York Times: “G.O.P. vs. CNBC, and the Network Lost”
Todd Graham (SIU Debate Coach): “Worst debate I’ve seen in 24 years.”
You can thank the Republican National Committee, the establishment, for the selection of CNBC to host the debate. Is it any wonder voters are looking so closely at outsiders? If CNBC is the best the RNC could come up with to moderate a debate, well ….
