Presidential Debate Organizers Defend Jim Lehrer
By: CNN
Updated: October 5, 2012
Debate moderator Jim Lehrer has been the butt of many jokes, but the folks who
organized the event are defending the journalist.
The Commission on Presidential Debates says Lehrer implemented its new format exactly as designed.
Critics have said Lehrer was too passive and let the candidates go over their allotted time in several segments.
Lehrer says the moderator should be rarely seen or heard, and that it's up to the candidates to ask the follow-up questions and challenge each other.
He says the debate was successful based on its goal.
The Commission on Presidential Debates says Lehrer implemented its new format exactly as designed.
Critics have said Lehrer was too passive and let the candidates go over their allotted time in several segments.
Lehrer says the moderator should be rarely seen or heard, and that it's up to the candidates to ask the follow-up questions and challenge each other.
He says the debate was successful based on its goal.
