CBS panned for ‘disaster’ of a debate

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CBS News‘ first debate of the 2020 election cycle was widely panned by viewers and media watchers alike.

The debate, which aired live Feb. 25, 2020 from Charleston, S.C., received widespread criticism for the moderators, Norah O’Donnell and Gayle King, failing to “control” candidates bickering and talking over each other as well as what many viewed as odd and trivial questions.

One Twitter user pointed out that the moderators ask a question about soft drink bans before addressing coronavirus.

Question on soda bans before a single question on coronavirus… Well done CBS. Well done.

— Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) February 26, 2020

The apparent lack of preparation by the moderators was also a popular observation among viewers.

CNN chief media correspondent Brian Stelter, meanwhile, revealed on Twitter that his sources, who include “debate pros” at other networks, were panning the CBS broadcast as a “disaster,” “nightmare” and worse.

Debates are hard. TV news rivalries are hardcore. That said, debate pros at other TV networks are exchanging messages calling this a "disaster," a "nightmare" and worse

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 26, 2020

Stelter acknowledged that debates are a challenge to pull off well and rivalries between TV networks are fierce.