Monday, October 15, 2012
Memorandum of Understanding
There is controversy afoot regarding Candy Crowley's role at the Hofstra Townhall debate tomorrow night. It seems that Ms. Crowley has been vocal that she will take a fairly active role in holding the candidates feet to the fire if they refuse to answer the question asked by citizen attendee or if they revert to their various talking points. As Time Magazine points out, Obama and Romney are united in filing complaints with the Commission on Presidential Debates claiming that Crowley's position violates the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two sides that sets the terms of the debates, from room temperature to podium height. The MOU is a fascinating document that up to very recently has not been made public.
The issue raises an interesting question. Can a journalist, who is not a party to the agreement, be bound to the terms? In this case, the two candidates argue that the MOU stipulates that the moderator has a limited, passive role in the debate, which aside from Jim Lehrer rubs against the instincts of journalists. We will know by tomorrow night just what kind of influence the Commission actually has over their moderators.
The issue raises an interesting question. Can a journalist, who is not a party to the agreement, be bound to the terms? In this case, the two candidates argue that the MOU stipulates that the moderator has a limited, passive role in the debate, which aside from Jim Lehrer rubs against the instincts of journalists. We will know by tomorrow night just what kind of influence the Commission actually has over their moderators.
