Dealing with Misbehaving Debate Moderators 

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Republicans need to stop letting partisan debate moderators arrogantly act in a manner that is inconsistent with the proper role of a moderator. A debate moderator is supposed to facilitate a fair and orderly debate, not interfere with the debate. A debate moderator is supposed to act in a fair an impartial manner to ensure the debaters have a fair opportunity to be heard without interruption or interference, and a fair opportunity to address their opponent’s track record in office, and challenge their opponent’s remarks and claims. A debate moderator should not make any statements or take any actions that favor or prejudice any of the debaters. Like a referee, a mediator, a hearing officer, or a judge, a debate moderator is not supposed to (1) be an advocate for or against a debating candidate, (2) consider themselves as having a personal stake in the outcome of a debate, or (3) try to influence the outcome of a debate. 

The right to disagree with and criticize the remarks of a debating candidate belongs to the opposing candidate, not the debate moderators. The right to pass judgment on the merits of  remarks made by the debating candidates belongs to the American public and the voters for whom the debate is being held, not the debate moderators. Debate moderators are not supposed to act like movie or restaurant critics. 

Debate moderators have no right to inject themselves into a debate to interrupt the Republican candidate’s remarks or distract the Republican candidate’s concentration while being quiet and respectful of the Democrat’s remarks. Debate moderators have no right to inject themselves into a debate to ask questions in a manner that disfavors the Republican candidate while asking questions in a manner that favors the Democrat candidate. 

Republican candidates are supposed to debate their Democrat opponents and focus on their opponent, not the debate moderators. Republican candidates should refuse to let themselves by distracted or interfered with by debate moderators who are unwilling or unable to conduct themselves in a proper, professional manner. Furthermore, Republicans should not agree to debate rules that allow debate moderators to interfere with a fair and orderly debate or try to influence the outcome of the debate. 

The next time a debate moderator acts improperly during a debate, the Republican candidate should not let the moderator get away with it and only complain about the moderator’s misconduct after the debate is over. Rather, the Republican candidate should follow the action of Ronald Reagan, who during the 1980 primary debate in Nashua, New Hampshire directly and firmly challenged a debate moderator who presumed to have the right to turn off the microphones on his own initiative. Instead of letting a debate moderator get away with acting in a manner inconsistent with his or her obligation to be a fair and impartial moderator, and only complaining after the debate is over, the Republican candidate should directly and firmly challenge the debate moderator at the time the improper conduct occurs.

Depending on particular situation and the nature of the debate moderator’s misconduct, the Republican candidate should consider saying something along the following lines: 

 “I am here to debate my Democrat opponent, not debate you.” 

“You are here to moderate the debate, not to interfere and take sides in it.” 

“Your job is to moderate this debate in a fair and impartial manner, not try to influence its outcome.” 

“Your job is to moderate the debate, not to interrupt my remarks and try to make me waste my debate time answering you instead of debating my political opponent.” 

“Stop making remarks and interruptions aimed at hurting me and helping my opponent.” 

“If my opponent is not able to defend his (or her) policies and record in office, it’s not your job to help him (or her).” 

“If my opponent is not able to articulate criticisms of my policies and record in office, it’s not your job to help him (or her).” 

“Stop acting like a rodeo clown whose job it is to distract the rodeo bull to protect the rider who’s been thrown off by the bull. Let my opponent defend himself(or herself).” 

“You do not have the right to act as a jury in this debate — the right to judge my remarks belongs to the American public and the voters who are watching this debate, not you.” 

“I respect the right of the American public and the voters to judge my remarks and my record. I do not respect your effort to interfere and try to put your spin on my remarks and my record.” 

These suggested remarks should not be applied in a rote and thoughtless manner. They are only suggested ideas that should be applied and worded in a manner that is relevant and appropriate to the specific misconduct committed by a debate moderator. 

Republicans should not act like the cartoon character Charlie Brown — letting Lucy tell him she will hold the football for him but always yanking away the football when Charlie Brown tries to kick it. Republicans should not let people who are unwilling or unable to be fair, impartial, and professional debate moderators abuse their positions with impunity. Republicans should refuse to agree to debate rules that allow debate moderators to interfere with a fair debate or conduct the debate in an unfair and biased manner. Even if the debate rules are fair, Republicans should confront a misbehaving debate moderator at the time the moderator’s misconduct occurs, not just complain after the debate is over.