Following criticism from candidates and commentators about the Wednesday night CNBC Republican presidential debate, CNBC’s John Harwood joked that he now understands the “challenges” faced by the speaker of the House.
moderating GOP debate in 2015 enriched my understanding of challenges @SpeakerBoehner has faced and @RepPaulRyan will face
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) October 29, 2015
During the debate, candidates criticized the moderators for not focusing on substantive issues. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said the questions “illustrate why the American people don’t trust the media.” Following the debate, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus blasted the moderators’ “improper and unprofessional display.”
Harwood and his fellow moderators defended their performance at the debate.
“Some of those questions, especially considering the prescriptions they are offering, are questions that feel hostile to those Republican candidates,” Harwood told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews following the debate.
He later added that candidates came into the debate ready to attack the media.
“There were a lot of conservatives before the debate who were urging them to go hard after the media, and that’s what they did,” Harwood said.
