After CNN's Candy Crowley – who will referee tomorrow night's town-hall debate – stated that debate moderators "need to take control," the campaigns freaked out:
In a rare example of political unity, both the Romney and Obama campaigns have expressed concern to the Commission on Presidential Debates about how the moderator of the Tuesday town hall has publicly described her role, TIME has learned.
Apparently, lawyers from both campaigns had signed a memo forbidding the moderator from asking follow-up questions. There's a catch, though, writes Halperin:
[I]f the Obama and Romney campaigns agreed to such terms, there is no evidence that Crowley did — or was ever asked to do so…. Even after concerns were raised … Crowley made additional comments that make clear she does not feel bound by any agreement between the Commission and the Obama and Romney camps.
He further reports that, despite their objections, both candidates are preparing for the possibility that Crowley will indeed take control. Here's hoping she will. The job of the press it to press for more clarity. Follow-ups are essential, not optional. Lehrer was a disastrous moderator; Raddatz a superb one.
Joan Walsh applauds moderator independence:
Last week Paul Ryan asked that moderator Martha Raddatz call him "Mr. Ryan," not "Congressman Ryan," presumably because he doesn’t want to be tied to the unpopular, obstructionist House of Representatives he helps lead. Raddatz ignored him. Crowley should likewise shrug off demands that she participate in letting the candidates control the terms of the debate more than they already do.
Obviously, if the questions are sharp and the candidates’ answers on point Tuesday night, Crowley should get out of the way and let the format work…. But if either candidate dodges the questions or dissembles, that’s why Crowley is there – to follow up and get to the point. If she wasn’t supposed to play a role, why have her at all?
Dylan Byers surmises how Lehrer's and Raddatz's performances might influence Crowley's approach:
Crowley enters this year’s town-hall debate in a unique position. For one, she follows in the footsteps of ABC’s Martha Raddatz, the moderator of last week’s vice presidential debate, who exhibited control and authority where her own predecessor, PBS’s Jim Lehrer, exhibited powerlessness and laxity. In the shadow of Raddatz, Crowley will be expected to exert a similar command of the conversation.
The Dish 