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Romney, Obama to Crowley: No Follow-Up Questions

Moderator threatens to weigh in at town-hall debate

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 15, 2012 12:06 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Obama and Romney campaigns finally agree on something: They don't want Candy Crowley asking them any pesky follow-up questions. Crowley is moderating tomorrow's debate, which is to be conducted town hall-style, with audience members asking the questions. But Crowley doesn't intend to just twiddle her thumbs. "Once the table is kind of set by the town hall questioner, there is then time for me to say, 'Hey, wait a second, what about X, Y, Z?'" she said in a recent interview.

But the campaigns say that doesn't jibe with their understanding of the agreement they signed with the Commission on Presidential Debates, and they're voicing concerns, Time reports. The agreement contains language saying the moderator "will not rephrase the question or open a new topic." But Crowley wasn't party to the negotiation, and has continued to indicate she'll aggressively follow-up. Joan Walsh at Salon, for one, thinks she should. "That's why she's there." Otherwise, she's just a "Lady Microphone-holder—a political Vanna White."

This June 2012 handout photo provided by CNN shows CNN anchor and chief political correspondent Candy Crowley.
This June 2012 handout photo provided by CNN shows CNN anchor and chief political correspondent Candy Crowley.   (AP Photo/Edward M. Pio Roda, CNN)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 162 comments
RinoHunter
Oct 16, 2012 11:36 AM CDT
Candy Crowley? Really?  What the hell happened to Katie Couric?
Person12345
Oct 16, 2012 9:52 AM CDT
It sounds like Candie wants to participate in the debate.  So what we have is a three way going on, to hell with the audience questions.  I expect this debate to be all about Candie Crowley and her personal commentary and opinions.  What's the point - who cares about what she thinks, besides her of course. She thinks her political opinions are important to everyone and in reality, they aren't.  Choosing her will prove to be a huge mistake.
kukisvoomchor
Oct 15, 2012 11:09 PM CDT
I can see it now: "I'm glad you asked that question. You know, my family and I have always believed in basic goodness and apple pie. And that reminds me of a little story..." etc., etc., etc.
 

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