Reply #45: my letter (I tried to be reasonable) [View All]

I realize that it is very hard to pull off an informational *debate* with nine candidates on stage and less than ninety minutes.

However, Ms. Woodruff's performance was particularly ineffectual. From the get-go, a negative attitude emanated from her. She and her CNN sidekicks could not get away from one unsubstantiated premise; that Democrats are losing the minds and hearts of Americans. Question after question implied and asserted this false premise.

And so the evening was framed. And Woodruff scowled and prodded and participated in ambushes but failed to meet what she often claimed was her purpose -- to show differences between the candidates.

It seems fairly clear that the nation is not better informed after this session than it was before, except for what was revealed about Woodruff's ability as a big-league moderator.