First Debate : Jim Lehrer Made Me Laugh
I found much humor in the first 2008 Presidential Debate between McCain and Obama. It was all about Jim Lehrer. Here is a man that began his news career at The Dallas Morning News and Dallas Times-Herald, covering the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963 and a retired Marine.
Lehrer was considered an ‘Anderson Cooper’ of his generations.
He should have kicked debate ass! But, he was all comic relief. Here are the reasons that Jim Lehrer,  the first 2008 Presidential Debate Moderator, made me laugh.
1. Treated McCain and Obama like a Gay Couple in Marriage Counseling
“I’m just determined to get you all to talk to each other,” Lehrer said. “I’m gonna try.”
Lehrer cut in: “Say it directly to him! Say it directly to him!”
Obama was the only one directly speaking to McCain and doing everything the counselor, Lehrer, suggest. On the otherhand, McCain was the stubburd one. McCain did not turn his eyes or head towards Obama but did have the muscle control to look down at his notes sometimes with an added salty grin.
Lehrer even tried jump starting a conversation for them
“Do you have something directly to say, Senator Obama, to Senator McCain about what he just said? “
Apparently Lehrer wanted Bette Davis and Joan Crawford like characters for the television ratings.
2. Too Complimentary
It was a debate, I believe, a waste of time. We know nothing more of either candidate except we now know how to time manage a debate. Lehrer wasted no time in complimenting them of their abilities to keep within their time limits.
LEHRER: I have some good news and bad news for the two of you. You all are even on time, which is remarkable, considering we’ve been going at it …
OBAMA: A testimony to you, Jim.
LEHRER: I don’t know about that. But the bad news is all my little five minute things have run over, so, anyhow, we’ll adjust as we get there. But the amount of time is even
Geez, take a compliment Jim!!!
Too passive.
3. Did not have control
Pet Peeve : When two people are talking at the same time.
Lehrer had no control . . . none.
LEHRER: We’re going to go to a new… (CROSSTALK)
LEHRER: We’ve got time for one more lead question segment. We’re way out of… (CROSSTALK)
LEHRER: Quick response and then… (CROSSTALK)
Obama even help Lehrer get control.
LEHRER: All right.
OBAMA: I’ve got to make this point, Jim.
LEHRER: OK.
OBAMA: He objects…
MCCAIN: I have voted for alternate fuel all of my time…
OBAMA: He — he — he objects…
(CROSSTALK)
LEHRER: One at a time, please.
OBAMA: He objected…
LEHRER: One at a time.
MCCAIN: No one can be opposed to alternate energy.
OBAMA: All right, fair enough. Let’s move on. You’ve got one more energy — you’ve got one more question.
Lehrer should have left his NPR persona at the studio and bring it on.
4. Treating the Audience like children
“We’re trying a new format here…it’s going to require my absolute concentration. I don’t want to worry about anyone cheering or hollering or making any noise behind me,” he said. “There’s going to be an understandable natural tendency to cheer, hiss, boo or whatever-don’t do it.”
“I don’t want to be difficult about it, but I will be hard about it,” Lehrer said, adding that pictures are forbidden and as for cell phones. “Turn them off!” he shouted. “This is not a competing pep rally.”
“This has to be a credible process, this has to be a credible debate,” he said, “It not only has to appear to be fair, it has to be fair, and it’s my job to do that.”
All he was missing, “If I hear one peep I am going to stop this debate. Do you want me to stop this debate? If I hear one single moan, wheeze, hiss, laugh or any sound, I am going to stop this debate. You won’t like it if I have to stop this debate.”
I personally want to hear the reaction from the audience. I really do, its just like a laugh track for a television sitcom . . . entertaining in itself.
5. He Assigned Chores to Candidate’s Wives.
Lehrer noted that John McCain’s wife, Cindy, and Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, are seated on opposite sides of the hall and would help enforce the quiet policy.
I would have loved to have seen Michelle and Cindy to:
- Constantly do the “shhh”, like a possessed librarian.
- Go over to individuals and make ‘mother-like’ threats
- Move their chairs to face the audience to take their Lehrer assigned authorities seriously.
Final Notes
This was a very safe debate, old school NPR. Besdies, it was just the two parties. We need Nadar, Barr and Paul on stage for the future debates. I need to see the real difference between the candidates. The candidates have moved too far into the middle to be different. As it stands Obama would be a great replacement for Palin.