Women & Politics: Both Campaigns Are Trying to Stifle Moderator, Candy Crowley

We all know how important women are in this election. They can make or break a candidate and both sides know it. So what can we expect tonight in the town-hall style presidential debate? Jezebel writer, Gloria Ryan, writes, “DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz reassured the public on Monday that she was pretty sure that during the Presidential debate on Tuesday, the candidates wouldn’t forget to talk about women like they did last time.” Interesting. To be fair though, the first debate centered around the economy mostly.

Tonight, CNN’s Candy Crowley will be moderating. It’s almost unbelievable that she is only the fourth woman to ever moderate a presidential debate. Now, just stop and think about that for one moment. Isn’t that INSANE?! Everyday, we feel more and more independent, but seriously, it’s shocking how slowly women are incorporated into some aspects of our everyday lives – for example, moderating debates. So who were the lucky women to question the potential presidential candidates before Crowley? Pauline Frederick of NPR, 1976.  Barbara Walters of ABC News, 1976 and 1984. Carole Simpson, ABC News, 1992. I always knew Barbara Walters was a Maker, but damn, she knows how to get the job done – twice.

So, fine, women have been making an appearance in presidential debates, but both campaigns this year are not too happy about Martha Raddatz’s moderation job last week during the VP debate - one could say she took an active role in her duties and both campaigns don’t want this happening again.

Jezebel reports, “According to a document leaked yesterday, both campaigns are furiously negotiating terms that essentially dictate that Candy Crowley’s role as moderator is to sit there and swallow their talking points without showing any backbone.” Are you fucking serious? Excuse my language, but what on God’s earth are these campaigns thinking? I watched the VP debate and I have to say, it was amazing to watch Raddatz actually do the job of moderator, instead of just sitting there sucking up to the candidates Jim Lehrer style.

Part of the terms state, “In managing the two-minute comment periods, the moderator will not rephrase the question or open a new topic … The moderator will not ask follow-up questions or comment on either the questions asked by the audience or the answers of the candidates during the debate or otherwise intervene in the debate except to acknowledge the questioners from the audience or enforce the time limits, and invite candidate comments during the two-minute response period.”

I could not agree with Jezebel’s Ryan more when she writes, “Seriously. No rephrasing. No follow up questions. No being a fucking journalist. If that’s all they want from Crowley, why not tap Honey Boo Boo’s mom or Ryan Lochte to moderate the debates?” First of all, why do the candidates get to negotiate terms? It should be out of their hands. And why isn’t the moderator involved? Are moderators just puppets that sit there? This is ridiculous and unless people begin to speak up this will never change.

It’s time to get crazy, Candy! You can do it! Don’t just sit there and do as you’re told. You are only one of four woman moderators…EVER! It’s time to get the job done. Make us proud.