Chris Wallace, moderator of the first GOP debate, plans ‘some doozies’

washingtonpost.com ^ | 8/3/15 | Krissah Thompson

[cotton1706]

Chris Wallace tapped the black three-ring binder resting on the corner of his desk. “I’ve got some doozies in there,” he said, eyebrow raised provocatively.

The unlabeled binder holds the veteran Fox News anchor’s questions for Thursday’s Republican primary debate, for which he will serve as a moderator. Clamped inside it are newspaper clippings, memos to his researcher and outlines of what the hodgepodge of presidential candidates vying to top the GOP field have been saying about the issues and about each other.

It has become a primary-season ritual for Wallace, a fixture at Fox News for more than a decade, to challenge and goad the packed roster of Republican candidates. But this debate in Cleveland, the first of the 2016 election season, may be in a league of its own.

[HoosierWordsmith]

“Moderators spend more time in trying to come up with the ‘gotcha’ that will make the news cycles for a long time, instead of trying to ask questions that elicit real information for the voters.”
______________________________________________________________________________

Exactly! For Trump, they will go full-Palin: What is the capitol of Kazakhstan, who is the President of Kazakhstan, and what body of water occupies the western border of Kazakhstan? They’ll try to pin him down with factual questions to hopefully show that his depth of knowledge is limited...then, the MSM can scream ‘Gotcha, Trump not ready to be POTUS’.

For Cruz, they will try to paint and reinforce negative images. Senator Cruz, in hindsight, don’t you think it was a stupid idea to shut down the government over Obamacare and hurt millions of Americans, and don’t you think that the American people will not vote for you after recently calling your boss, Mitch McConnell a liar on the floor of the senate? Aren’t these behaviors extreme and so non-presidential?

Then, for Bush, they will get all warm and fuzzy. Governor, you are considered one of the most compassionate and successful governors in the past 50 years, working to build consensus on important and inclusive programs in your state of Florida. What were the keys to your success and how will you incorporate this bipartisan approach into your presidency?

The particular questions may be more illuminating than the answers?

[Lets Roll NOW]

[I hope he is disappointed as some of those participants throw the ‘gotchas’ back in his face. Gingrich sort of led the charge of doing that in 2012. The 2012 participants also started balking at the ‘raise your hand if ...’ questions.]

The answer to the raise your hand question should be “We are Presidential Candidates, not school children”.

[papertyger]

I'd just as soon see Trump tell the moderator "the hell with your question. Let's get one thing straight. You don't determine how this race is run: they do! (pointing to audience),"

Then launch into his speech.

[Bigg Red]

I don’t believe for a New York minute that there is anything Republican, Conservative, Libertarian or otherwise on that side of the spectrum about Wallace.

***
Your words could be applied to all at FAUX News.

[Ghost of SVR4]

Chris: “Mr. Trump, what is the name of the middle son of the president of Burkina Faso?”

"I don't know, I've never met him through business, however if I ever do; he better be here legally."

[Mr. N. Wolfe]

“The moderator should be a little gray man with a list if questions, a rule book and a timer. This should be about the candidates, not focusing on the moderators at all. They should be off camera.”

That would be perfect.

[Gaffer]

That’s pretty much my take nowadays, too.

[Leep]

The first candidate who shuts down a question or comment from “left field” is going to be a hero.

Wouldn’t put it past them to throw a pre-planned “left field” question to Jeb. Then Bush, and the media, can pretend like bush is a tough guy.

[MinuteGal]

My guess is that the fireworks tonight, if any, will be between one or more candidates and moderators Kelly and Wallace.

These two have enormous egos and are "stars" in their own minds. They are used to being in the limelight on their own.....and probably don't want to be outshined by any politician sharing the stage with them during the debate.

I'll bet The Donald has a squelch line all memorized for each of these two mods if they are more interested in "gotchas" than governance.

On a thread yesterday a freeper humorously opined that last night was like "Christmas Eve". He was so correct....and, regarding the moderators and candidates, many packages will be opened this evening.....some will contain gems and some will contain coal.

Leni

[DefeatCorruption]

Agree with everything you posted.
Right on!

---

I don’t believe for a New York minute that there is anything Republican, Conservative, Libertarian or otherwise on that side of the spectrum about Wallace. He’s an undercover liberal and he’s very good at disguising it yet still getting out those subtle jabs and points for Democrats.

You know, kinda like how child molesters are so able to blend in their surroundings. That’s him. An undercover molester.

[Bob Ireland]

***These two have enormous egos and are "stars" in their own minds***

I hate to think so, but... ? I heard Wallace some months back interviewing - I forget whom, I think Santorum - where he stated in the question that the Palestinians were forced to leave their homes by the Israelis in 1948 in preparation for hostilities... He is either ignorant or an absolute liar! It was the Arab neighbors who told the Palestinians [whoever those folks are] to evacuate so they could wipe the slate clean with their vastly superior forces.

That closed the book on Wallace for me.