The Commission on Presidential Debates has announced its intended schedule of debates for the 2008 presidential contest. The first debate between Obama and McCain will take place on September 26th and be moderated by PBS newsman Jim Lehrer. The second will be on October 7th and be moderated by NBC newsman Tom Brokaw. The final presidential debate will be on October 15th and be moderated by CBS newsman Bob Schieffer. The lone vice presidential debate will be on October 2nd and will be moderated by PBS newswoman Gwen Ifil.
Lehrer is a great choice. He is as even-handed and respected a journalist as currently exists on television.
Brokaw has demonstrated very little inclination to hit McCain with anything but softballs. However, while Brokaw has been charged by some with being directly unfair to Obama in his questioning, I thus far haven't seen it.
Schieffer, on the other hand, is an entirely different animal. He has made his strong leanings toward McCain quite clear. He was a poor choice if fairness was the goal.
All in all, I think that the McCain campaign -- which has yet to agree to this schedule, but likely will do so -- should be feeling quite good about all of this.
5 August 2008
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