Put My Name Down, Brother, Where Do I Sign?»

Several dozen colleagues and I were horrified by Wednesday’s Democratic debate and ashamed of our profession. We signed an open letter of protest calling for professionalism in debate moderation. It’s just posted at The Nation.

We’re at a crucial moment in our country’s history, facing war, a terrorism threat, recession, and a range of big domestic challenges. Large majorities of our fellow Americans tell pollsters they’re deeply worried about the country’s direction. In such a context, journalists moderating a debate–who are, after all, entrusted with free public airwaves–have a particular responsibility to push and engage the candidates in serious debate about these matters. Tough, probing questions on these issues clearly serve the public interest. Demands that candidates make pledges about a future no one can predict or excessive emphasis on tangential “character” issues do not. This applies to candidates of both parties.