Opinion of Jim Lehrer as moderator

[RJ]

Lehrer did something I haven't seen in debates on TV before: he let the debate actually happen.

In the past, there was this format in which one candidate gives an answer while the other then gives an answer, and by the time the issue has past viewers can't see exactly what the differences are between either of them are; each debater bores the audience with some long drawn out explanation. This time, the debaters actually addressed each other(Lehrer actually encouraged the candidates to engage each other.) Each style has its perks. With the traditional way, you don't have all that interrupting or someone trying to talk over someone else(I really like that part of it---giving each person the chance to speak.) The two interrupted each other and interjected frequently, and it became difficult to sort out who was saying what. On the other hand, the contrast between the two was more apparent, and it was easier to distinguish who said what. I think this style was more beneficial to Obama than McCain.

Overall, Lehrer's style of letting the candidates have at it was effective enough, but I don't know if I'd like to see every debate in this format. Lehrer did a good enough job of it. I think he did so because he recognized the fact that the electorate is polarized and the public wanted to see the two snipe at each other directly and not through some campaign ad.