Watertown— Round 3 on the debates seemed to be more anticipated because of the way town hall style formats in the past have had unexpected turn outs. Media outlets via the Internet and on television broadcasted snapshots of the most memorable fumbles, strengths, awkward moments of past town hall debates.
Analyzing the first three debates now, it seems that each one had moderator issues. The first Presidential debate and the Vice Presidential debates in both, the Democratic Party was allowed to over speak and go way past the allotted time, giving the Republican side less time. While, candidates ought to take responsibility for their own performance a moderator can often lean or favor one party. The town hall debates appeared to be no different. CNN moderator Candy Crowley seemed to shut down Romney whenever he appeared to be gaining traction with a topic.
Although some may want to label this issue as, “Republicans disliked Crowley” while the “Democrats loved her”- Crowley’s blatant bias seemed to be more of an erosion of professional standards. CBS article makes this issue a right-wing complaint; “Conservatives assail debate moderator Candy Crowley” while conservatives are indeed the ones complaining. Anyone that takes the Presidential elections as important as they ought to- should take out party politics. According to the CBS article, it quoted numerous complaints regarding Crowley’s behavior:
“Crowley's behavior goes beyond despicable as it was a blatant attempt to influence the presidential election. If CNN wants to maintain any shred of credibility as a 'news' organization, they should fire Crowley immediately for her gross violation of whatever remains of journalistic standards."
Americans for limited Government-
“There goes Candy holding Romney's feet to the fire while, letting Obama unchain his muse."
Jonah Goldberg-
"Crowley is the one losing this debate. She's been absolutely disgraceful and biased from choice of questions to time."
John Nolte-
"When you have two candidates disagreeing, it's not the role of the moderator to say, 'Mr. President, you're right' or 'Gov. Romney, you're right,' "
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah-
"Candy Crowley had to go back and eat crow on CNN. In a real world, she woulda committed career suicide last night, in the real world. In the media world I grew up in, her career would be finished. It won't be now, because she gave it her all for the good guys. She gave it all for the right side. But she committed an act of journalistic terror or malpractice last night. If there were any journalistic standards, what she did last night would have been the equivalent of blowing up her career like a suicide bomber. But there aren't any journalistic standards anymore. She's going to be praised and celebrated, probably get a raise, maybe give her another half hour on that show she hosts.”
Rush Limbaugh-
Libya has become an extremely touchy issue for President Obama and it is not just right-wing conservative “media-folk” that are criticizing President Obama on how he handled the security issue in Benghazi.
President Obama used “Act of terror” in general terms. Proof of this is shown on several occasions. Five days after the attack that killed 4 Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens on September 16th Ambassador of the United Nations, Susan Rice openly made a statement claiming that the Benghazi attack was a result of the anti-Islamic film “Innocents of Muslims” created by Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the Egyptian-born U.S. resident.
Then on September 20th, eight days after Obama stated that the attack in Benghazi was an “Act of terror.” Press secretary Jay Carney stated the White House never called the Benghazi incident “a terrorist attack.”
A Reuters report amplified what skeptics have been claiming that President Obama and his administration did not heed security threats in Benghazi:
“In the months before the deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya, U.S. and allied intelligence agencies warned the White House and State Department repeatedly that the region was becoming an increasingly dangerous vortex for jihadist groups loosely linked or sympathetic to al Qaeda, according to U.S. officials.
Despite those warnings, and bold public displays by Islamist militants around Benghazi, embassies in the region were advised to project a sense of calm and normalcy in the run-up to the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the United States.”
While party politics attempt to take the heat off of the White House, attempting to discuss or pick apart any other “high” or “low” points regarding the town hall debates. ABC50 interviewed one registered Democrat who is now an undecided voter. Hillary did not want to disclose her last name for personal reasons and readily admitted having voted for President Obama. Not only does she dislike Obama-care, she especially disliked the fact that Hillary Clinton was “thrown under the bus” and that President Obama has taken no responsibility for the Benghazi attack. An undecided voter and a vocal Democrat, Hillary told ABC50 that she is more disappointed over how President Obama handled Benghazi and felt that Candy Curley's attempt to “save the President” did little to change her mind regarding the lack of responsibility she felt the President ought to be owning up to. Hillary of Watertown, New York is still not sure whom she will be voting for. Like many other undecided voters, America will have one more debate for either candidates to try to regain the confidence from undecided voters.
