This is the reason neither Brokaw nor Sheiffer have any business moderating a debate

[rvablue]

They are both clearly longtime pals with McCain.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47407-2004Aug30.html

• Sen. John McCain tended to his political base Sunday night: the entire national media. The maverick Arizona Republican, once (and future?) presidential aspirant and press secretary's dream hosted a hyper-exclusive 68th birthday party for himself at La Goulue on Madison Avenue, leaving no media icon behind. Guests included NBC's Tom Brokaw and Tim Russert, ABC's Peter Jennings, Barbara Walters, Ted Koppel and George Stephanopoulos, CBS's Mike Wallace, Dan Rather and Bob Schieffer, CBS News President AndrewHeyward, ABC News chief David Westin, Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons, CNN's Judy Woodruff and Jeff Greenfield, MSNBC's Chris Matthews, CNBC's Gloria Borger, PBS's Charlie Rose -- pause here to exhale -- and U.S. News & World Report publisher Mort Zuckerman, Washington Post Chairman Don Graham, New York Times columnists William Safire and David Brooks, author Michael Lewis and USA Today columnist Walter Shapiro. They and others dined on lobster salad, loin of lamb, assorted wines, creme brulee, lemon souffle and French tarts.


***Please forgive me if you've seen me write about this before, but I wanted to do an OP given another thread on her regarding Brokaw putting himself right in the middle of the anchor to-do at MSNBC.

[ErinBerin84]

1. damn liberal media.

Just like them to go looking for a handout!

[TornadoTN]

2. Brokaw's debate is a town-hall - not too concerned. Schieffers on the other hand is scary

Seriously, Schieffer is a pal to the right-wing and has been since he got into the business. People like the guy because he's affable and reminds people of their granddad (not my view, but I've heard it applied). All it will take is a phone call and wink to Scheiffer and he could well change the dynamics of the debates.

[rvablue]

6. Ah, forgot about that.

Yes, the Town Hall format puts my fears to rest a bit on that one.

But I wonder how much influence the moderator gets in allowing which questions are asked.

I don't know if you saw it posted here the other day, but Sheiffer was quoted talking about what questions he was going to ask: Social Security and Immigration. I kind of thought it was a shout out to McCain to prepare. But at least he did it publicly and Obama can do the same. Let's hope it's not a red herring.

[jacksonian]

8. nope, Brokow makes the town hall worse

he will pick on rethug plants for questions. Bet on the young girl abortion question, at least.

[nc4bo]

3. Dropped a note to Scheiffer also. nt

[watrwefitinfor]

4. After being double-teamed by George & Charles

I don't think you have to worry about either of these two. I think Obama's got it, and this is one thing you can write off your list to worry about. I don't think any of them will ever sandbag him again.

Wat

[Cha]

5. Rec'd! This needs to go viral!

And, this shit has to stop.

I know Obama has to prepare extra hard to combat the moderator and mccain.

Some thought jim lerher wasn't that equal, either..I read.

[peace13]

7. Obama should not have agreed to debate with either of these clowns in charge. n/t