Backstage chit-chat doesn’t count. While moderating a panel can be a toughie, the reward for a job well done will be an engaging, dynamic conversation that’s valuable for both the audience and the panelists themselves. Nov 26 All posts copyright their original authors. For years, people who watched that debate wrote me, emailed me and stopped me in public to thank me for that question. Because I have moderated two general election debates — in 2004 and 2008 — I know better than to carp from the sidelines. Interest groups insist you ask their question. The audience is actively involved and has the benefit of asking interesting questions. Longtime Republican campaign adviser Roger Stone, a friend of President Donald Trump's, was sentenced to three years, four months in federal prison Thursday for obstructing a congressional investigation of Russia's 2016 presidential electio, A bipartisan report released Thursday by the Senate Intelligence Committee says that the Obama administration mounted an insufficient response to Russia’s election interference in 2016, but that its failures were “understandable” because the governme, Who’s excited about the Thanksgiving CLASH OF THE TITANS?? Tips on moderating a political debate October 14, 2015 12:09 PM Subscribe. But for viewers settling in with their pre-debate popcorn and wine, my only advice is watch carefully and give those hardworking moderators a break. Edwards launched into a rehearsed speech about AIDS in Africa. It works that way in presidential debates too. Upwards of 60 million people will be watching -- probably a whole lot more this year. Ignore them. It goes without saying that gaming the moderators is part of the deal. Best Practices for Moderators Discussion and debate are hallmarks of social and public policy—and they can generate good ideas for research and policy. is a meeting facilitator, moderator, trainer and keynote speaker, and the author of Powerful Panels: A Step-By-Step Guide to Moderating Lively & Informative Panel Discussions at Meetings, Conferences & Conventions. It … Navajo Nation’s health care system strained by COVID-19, Read Problems with FBI surveillance extended far beyond probe of Trump campaign, Justice Dept. A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that House Democrats are entitled to get materials gathered by a grand jury during former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of the Trump campaign and Russian election meddling in 2016. A word for the moderators: Everybody thinks they can do your job. I am confident in my accomplishment of having had Queen Latifah portray me on Saturday Night Live both years. What every moderator wants to be able to do is pull a "Tim Russert." It finds that President Trump may have misled special counsel Robert Mueller. All rights reserved. If they are like I was, they long ago stopped reading social media or opening their mail. Even if you're not in control of the questions, perhaps you can at least organize them in a semi-coherent way? Democrats fear a campaign-altering surprise. Note: This document used to be the WisCon Moderator's Guide and Tip Sheet.However, it disappeared from the WisCon site some time ago. if you're not doing anything wrong, you have... No TV! Other journalists will hector you about the "only right way" to do the job. Candidates research the moderators' work extensively. In 2008, they questioned me over a book I hadn't even finished writing. It means finding a way to be alert enough to notice when your question goes unanswered and nimble enough to decide what you will do about that on the spot. Suffice to say this is as tough a job as I have ever had, and I wish only the best for the moderators who will take the stage.