Thoughts on moderation? Did you find it skewed?
Not too much. Biden talked over more. At one point I thought she seemed to be too easy on Biden, but she pushed a couple of his buttons later on like on Afghanistan. I think she personally disagreed with him on the summer draw down. Ryan didn't talk over as much. But I don't think she would have stopped him in particular. Ryan never answered the question about negative ads, and she let it go. I don't think she played favorites. I think her and Lehrer had the same problem, but she did a better job at moving things forward IMO.
She seemed to counter Ryan's answers more imo. Plus, I thought she could have said "VP Biden it's Congressman Ryan's turn". That said, it's Ryan that needs to call Biden out for being overly aggressive.
Yes, but he did answer so few. He used the same method Romney did, say something general about what needs to be done, then specifically criticize Obama and his administration. Raddatz call him on it more than Lehrer did. Of course, it's easier for an incumbent to talk specifics, but Ryan had so very few. I would have thought with the hoopla about him evading budget specifics, he'd have something more than 'a framework'.She seemed to counter Ryan's answers more imo.
I don't disagree, but imo the largest role for a moderator is to maintain order and she failed, as did Lehrer, in this way. With the Obama/Romney debate both candidates were guilty of straying from the format while tonight Biden was the only one that interrupted and was blatantly uninterested in procedure. Procedure is her primary function.
I agree that getting answers is a big part of their role too. But also, maintaining the etiquette.