CNBC Moderator Jokes That He Now Understands Boehner’s ‘Challenges’

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.

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.

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  1. Avatar for mcbain mcbain says:

    Welcome to reality,John.

  2. Avatar for mcbain mcbain says:

    John : keep in mind that every time you, and your peers, don’t call out their lies, you’re just making the problem worse.

    [edit : oops, didn’t mean to reply to my own post]

  3. How long has he worked besides Santelli and Cramer?? And he is just now grasping the problems Boehner was facing?

  4. Does anyone here have a relative with dementia? You can either constantly bring them back to reality or join them in theirs. It’s easier to join them than it is to try to convince them of things they can’t or won’t understand.

    Moderating a GOP debate is a little like that. Of course, relatives with dementia aren’t trying to be the leader of the Free World.

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