Well, one thing is clear. The two female moderators

[Surya Gayatri]

completely out-performed the two elderly male should-be retirees. No contest.

Lehrer and Scheiffer might as well have called it in. Unprepared, unfit, uninspired.

Raddatz and Crowley were the polar opposite. Well-prepared, very able, and engaged.

ETA: And you can bet they were paid 30% less for doing twice the job (assuming money was involved).

[russspeakeasy]

1. Are you sure lehrer and scheiffer aren't the same person ?

[Surya Gayatri]

10. You may have something there--same puffy-faced, squint-eyed fecklessness.

[XemaSab]

32. My mom was totally like "Didn't this guy already moderate a debate?"

[fortyfeetunder]

2. Leno and Letterman opportunity

I hope the debate organizers remember this for 2016. Alas, it will make for some late night jokes!

[Jennicut]

3. Pretty much.

And at 78 and 75, Lehrer and Scheiffer seemed to not be able to handle the duties of moderating.

[Surya Gayatri]

12. It takes a lot of mental energy to rein in such strong personalities--they don't have it.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

4. Very true.

Several people tweeted that tonight on my timeline.

[ellaydubya]

5. I disagree a bit....

I thought Lehrer let Romney bully his way into the debate and I wrote the whole thing off. It was rude and disrespectful to all involved.

I thought Raddatz and Crowley did a wonderful job.

I thought Scheiffer led the debate and stayed pretty much on top of the direction of the debate as much as any other moderator.

Overall, a really awesome political experience all the way around.

Now, let's vote!!!

[Surya Gayatri]

13. GOTV-+1,000!!!

[ReallyIAmAnOptimist]

42. I think Scheiffer was Columbo-style brilliant

While I thought both Raddatz and Crowley did a great/good job respectively,
I think Scheiffer was Columbo-style brilliant. Did you notice how when it was Romney's turn he often asked a drilled-down question which threw Romney off, causing him to forget the comeback he wanted to make as he rambled answering Scheifer. Romney lost a lot of time that way, and looked weak.

[malaise]

6. True

Rec

[southerncrone]

7. Pleeeeease, no over 70 for moderators in the future! Regardless of gender.

[jsmirman]

8. Painfully true

The point is not women over men - the point is that if the woman is more able - FUCKING CHOOSE HER.

[Surya Gayatri]

15. Eggs-actly! These two women proved that they were superior from every point of view.

Let's hope this sets a precedent and that women will be chosen first next time--rather than as a token sop to the female electorate.

[Honeycombe8]

9. I thought Scheiffer did a good job. He stayed out of the way, and kept them close to the time limit.

Despite Romney insistence he be allowed to respond, Scheiffer politely and deftly moved the debate along.

[Surya Gayatri]

16. Do not agree. He allowed Mitt to blather on for far too long off-topic.

Had no comeback or fact-checks, except the ironic "I'm sure we all love teachers..."

[unc70]

18. Bob S did just fine.

Yes, he let Romney blather, but that was more like he gave Romney his allotted time and Romney chose to blather.

[Surya Gayatri]

29. Doing a disservice to the American electorate--many

crucial topics weren't covered because of Mitt's obfuscation, i.e. Euro Zone risks, Mexican drug war, etc.

[nolabear]

11. True dat! And I'm happy to see it.

[femrap]

14. I don't think any of the dudes

are RETIRED, which is unfortunate. They'll die before giving up their 'chair.'

The women were great. I was so happy with their performances.

[Surya Gayatri]

17. I was being sarcastic, femrap. LOL! They both should be

kicking back in some holiday retirement village--not moderating such high-stakes face-offs.

[AspenRose]

19. Damn straight

Christiane Amanpour should have been tonight's moderator.

[Booster]

20. Oh, shit. Cristiane would win the debate.

[eyewall]

21. Great Idea!

[Fearless]

22. So when does Jon Stewart get his chance?

Seriously though, I'd love to see that!

[AllyCat]

25. THAT would be genius. n/t

[Surya Gayatri]

30. Now, that debate would probably break all viewership records!

[Fearless]

33. Agreed!

[svpadgham]

23. I detect a bit of ageism in this thread.

n/t

[Surya Gayatri]

26. No, I'm 67 myself, but still recognize when somebody is trying to box above their weight class.

[treestar]

44. Upthread someone gives their ages

both in their 70s. Past retirement age, and there is a reason people retire. Maybe it's ageism, but there's a point where it is somewhat justified. Nature takes over.

Or, these two were just bad, regardless of their ages. Maybe some posters remember when they were younger. If so, would they have handled it the same?

[Maven]

45. These two were always milquetoast personalities

Their passivity might have been fine in a bygone era when politics was more polite (publicly, anyway) but it does not work now that the debates are basically televised verbal boxing matches.

They should hand over the reigns to people who are quicker, sharper, and better able to handle the sparring between candidates. OP is correct.

[tomm2thumbs]

24. I detect a bit of truth in this thread.

When people are ill-prepared for the job they are given, especially when they claim the mantle of 'professional journalists' they are open to the same judgment and expectations as anyone.

They should-be out of their jobs given their performance, plain and simple.

[Surya Gayatri]

27. Time to cash in the stock options, accept the gold Rolex graciously,

and head off to the retirement village.

[cliffordu]

28. I couldn't agree more.

no more old white assholes for moderators.

(I'm 60 and very pale)

These fucking guys need to be left out of the conversation.

[Surya Gayatri]

31. +1,000! See post N° 27!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

34. Wonder what the paychecks equate to

[Surya Gayatri]

35. Were any of them even paid or was the high-profile "honor" considered sufficient reward?

[SleeplessinSoCal]

40. Lehrer has to get the smallest paycheck (PBS). What of the others regular paycheck?

[redStateBlueHeart]

36. Oh no, I really hope they weren't paid less...

Martha Raddatz is my new hero

[Surya Gayatri]

37. Raddatz was the best. Knew what she needed to do and did it.

By the way, welcome to DU, redStateBlueHeart!

[redStateBlueHeart]

39. Thanks, Surya!

[joshcryer]

38. Crowley surprised me. Full stop.

I dislike Crowley immensely but she pulled it off.

[Raine]

41. ABSOLUTELY, the women were much better. nt

[treestar]

43. the one last night hardly seemed to be there