**Moderator Schieffer steps up to plate

[firedupdem]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14570.html

snip

“When a candidate doesn’t answer the question, my opinion is that, at the very least, the moderator needs to say, ‘You didn’t answer the question,’ former CBS anchor Dan Rather told Politico, on the sidelines of a Time Warner conference Tuesday on the media and politics.

“Even if you have to interrupt,” Rather added, the moderator should “keep on asking the question, either until the candidate answers it, or it’s clear the candidate is not going to answer it.”

All of which puts Rather’s former colleague — CBS’s Bob Schieffer — on the spot. The veteran host of “Face the Nation” will lead the questioning Wednesday night in the final debate at Hofstra University.

Schieffer wasn’t available to talk to Politico, but he has sent signals that he’s heard the grousing and intends to hold Barack Obama and John McCain accountable. If the candidates don’t answer questions, he recently told the Hollywood Reporter, “I'm going to call them on it.”

[ContinentalOp]

1. Dan Rather is right!

It pissed me off so much in the last debate how Brokaw was constantly needling Obama about going over the time limit but let it slide when McCain would totally skirt the question or change the subject.

[firedupdem]

2. He only mentioned time when Barack was speaking...I wonder

how this will go. I feel that Barack answers the questions more directly than McCain...wonder if he'll call HIM on it?

[jefferson_dem]

3. Good. That's the moderator's job.

I believe Schieffer will be firm AND fair tomorrow night.

[liberalmuse]

4. Damn straight, bitches!

How hard is it? If they don't answer the question, butt in and remind them what you asked, and let them know that you'd like them to answer. I want to see a real debate tomorrow night!

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. The last two moderators didn't have control,

I hope this one does.

Suggestion: After two minutes, the candidates mic goes dead if he doesn't stop talking on his own. They have warning when the time is nearly up. This crap of either of them running the forum is a joke.

And Schieffer must hold each to a straight forward answer, no drifting off topic.

[Catshrink]

8. And call time on both of them -- not just Barack

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. Absolutely.

[crossroads]

14. Good idea!

Of course if McSame is rambling on and on... who could tell if the mike was dead anyway? He has nothing new to say!
CR

[politicasista]

6. Hopefully he won't throw any softballs to McRude like he did with Bush n/t

[Alexander]

7. George Bush's golfing buddy asking hardball questions?

Yeah, right. :eyes:

[BlooInBloo]

10. Gwen Ifill was the biggest FAIL in the history of debate faildom.

[firedupdem]

11. Agreed! She caved big time! n/t

[Kahuna]

12. She only too choices. To step down or wuss out. She chose to wuss out. nt

[Doctor_J]

13. Yawn. That's what we heard about Condi's pal Gwen

It will be another tongue-washing for McSame.