Republicans and conservatives were shocked after NBC News chose Kristen Welker and Lester Holt to moderate the third Republican primary debate next month.
Welker, the moderator of “Meet The Press,” and Holt, the face of “NBC Nightly News,” will be joined by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt for the Nov. 8 showdown at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami.
Welker, who moderated the second and final debate of the 2020 presidential campaign between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, comes from a family with a long history of donating to Democratic politicians — and was caught on live TV during the 2016 Democratic nomination battle giving Hillary Clinton’s communications director an explanation. about the question he planned to ask.
“Lester Holt, Kristen Welker, and Hugh Hewitt to moderate the third GOP debate – so I don’t understand WHY the Republicans want an entire panel of liberal moderators as if there were no other reporters. Biased questions don’t help voters,” former Maryland lieutenant governor Gordana Schifanelli said on Thursday.
“Absolute madness,” said Tom Bevan, co-founder of RealClearPolitics, of the moderator’s choice.
Kristen Welker recently moderated NBC’s “Meet the Press.”William B. Plowman /NBC via Getty Images
“The GOP is run by idiots, but in fairness to them, they can’t be any worse than the previous moderator. At least there won’t be any Survivor questions,” said Townhall columnist Derek Hunter, referring to a question posed by Fox News host Dana Perino during the second debate last month.
“It’s amazing to me that the GOP doesn’t know that in a Republican primary, you can never let a Democrat moderate your debate,” he added. former Republican Senate candidate Sean Parnell.
Holt, a former registered Republican who switched his party affiliation to independent in 2018, moderated the first 2016 general election debate between Trump and Clinton.
Lester Holt, Kristen Welker and Hugh Hewitt to moderate the third GOP debate – so I don’t understand WHY Republicans want an entire panel of liberal moderators as if there were no other reporters. Biased questions don’t help voters https://t.co/nGCq3jfhPr
— Gordana (@GSchifanelli) October 26, 2023
The GOP is run by idiots, but in fairness to them, they can’t be any worse than the previous moderators. At least there won’t be any Survivor questions. https://t.co/uc2alx49OV
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) October 26, 2023
Hewitt, who has interviewed most of the Republican presidential candidates on his Salem Radio Network morning show, co-moderated three debates during the 2016 GOP primaries.
So far, at least five candidates appear to have met the Republican National Committee’s requirements to qualify for the third debate: Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Governor . Chris Christie.
Trump said he would skip the debate and hold a campaign rally in nearby Hialeah, Fla.
Lester Holt was once registered as a Republican but later changed his party affiliation to independent.NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Hugh Hewitt conducted a series of interviews with the top 2024 Republican contenders.Getty Images
Former Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) appear to be on the outside looking in at the moment.
To qualify for the debate stage, a candidate must receive contributions from 70,000 unique donors — up from 50,000 for the second debate last month — and either reach 4% in two recognized national polls or 4% in one state and 4% in one poll of two votes. Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina — the four states that kick off the 2024 Republican primary calendar.
Candidates must also receive at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in at least 20 of those jurisdictions.
The second GOP debate drew 9.3 million, down from 12.8 million during the first. AFP via Getty Images
Pence has clearly hit polling metrics but has not confirmed that he meets donor requirements.
Scott’s campaign claims it has met the polling requirements, though some independent trackers have questioned that.
The RNC is expected to confirm the candidate lineup 48 hours before the debate.
Donald Trump has suggested he has better things to do than debate rivals who voted below him. via REUTERS
NBC partnered with the Republican Jewish Coalition, Salem Radio Network and Rumble — the RNC’s streaming partner — for the November debate.
The RNC’s media partners for the first two debates are Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network/Univision, respectively.
The first Republican presidential contest – the Iowa caucus – is scheduled for January 15.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
