Anderson Cooper is coming off like an ass.

[Solomon]

What an ass he is.

[MADem]

1. He's asking the questions that "the other side" wants asked.

He's not being terribly nice to anyone, and that is his job.

I think he's doing fine.

[pacalo]

5. I see it that way, too.

[underpants]

10. Agreed

[laundry_queen]

14. Why does that only seem to happen in one direction though? nt

[MADem]

15. I think where you stand depends on where you sit.

He's been pretty pointed with all of them.

And he's also thrown all of 'em a few bones, too.

[laundry_queen]

21. I meant with republicans

They never get asked pointed questions.

[MADem]

22. There's too many of them--it's like a shitfling with those guys and will be for awhile.

They need to get rid of at least half of them before they can have a conversation.

[laundry_queen]

27. True enough

but those journalists should be able to hack it. Aren't they supposed to be the best?

[RoccoR5955]

2. And you were expecting something different? n/t

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Yup. You're right.

It's hard to watch.

[RandySF]

4. I was about to post the same thing.

[KeepItReal]

6. He's doing all the GOP dirty work for them

It's opposition research based questions and follow ups.

[MADem]

16. "Asked and answered" is a GOOD thing.

The GOP can't play "gotcha" if the matter--whatever it might be-- has already been discussed.

[KeepItReal]

20. Where's that sh*t when the GOP is on the stage?

The double standard is obvious.

[MADem]

24. The GOP hasn't narrowed their field, yet. It's still a beauty contest with them.

They haven't gotten to the "spokesmodel" portion with the GOP at all--it's still "How does that one LOOK?" with those guys.

[hrmjustin]

7. Yes.

[redstateblues]

8. He is trying to be a hard ass

[TransitJohn]

9. Meh, he's doing okay

You have to understand that the campaigns have been muscling CNN about how the debate will go down, and he is doing what he is able to elicit genuine, non-canned responses. It's just part and parcel of this sham debate system.

[onecaliberal]

11. The contrast between the republican CNN debate and this one.

The one who shall not be named is lying like a rug. She actually said TPP was just negotiated last week.

[yeoman6987]

12. I think she's winning

Sanders wasn't even paying attention and was spooked when asked to rebuff a question.

[Snotcicles]

13. I agree he thinks it's all about him .nt

[hollowdweller]

17. I think he's really been cutting Jim Webb off and giving Hillary and Sanders plenty of time.

[ronnykmarshall]

18. I think he's doing good

He's throwing out questions to ADULTS.

Speaking of ass, if I was single I'd throw my ass in front of Andy Coop in a minute.

[jack_krass]

19. Why? I think he's doing great

[tawadi]

23. He did the job he was supposed to do

He didn't let them avoid the questions either.

[tblue37]

25. No, actually, I think he was doing what a debate moderator should do--but mot never do.

He proved he is no lightweight in this role. I also think he gave our candidates a lot of good opportunities to confront and defang the inevitable questions and accusations that the Republicans will throw at them.

We always complain when a journalist allows a politician to slip out from under answering a question, or when a journalist fails to ask follow-up questions. Cooper did exactly what we always say we want the interviewers to do with politicians, and I think he did a fine job--and in doing so allowed our candidates many opportunities to shine, to prove themselves so much more serious than any of the Republican candidates.

Oh, and I absolutely loved it when O'Malley smacked DWS upside the head for her rigging of the debate schedule.

[bklyncowgirl]

26. I thought he did a good job. Made them answer the questions and was pretty even handed.

You want softballs? That would make for a really boring debate.