There's a bipartisan consensus that debate moderator Kristen Welker nailed it
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It looks like the winner of Thursday night's debate was its moderator, NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker.
Welker remained calm throughout the event and kept President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in line, ensuring the debate didn't devolve into a cacophonous free-for-all like the first one in late September.
Welker's NBC colleagues thought she did a stellar job:
so...@kwelkernbc is going to moderate all future debates ever, right?
— Hallie Jackson (@HallieJackson) October 23, 2020
Winner of the debate: @kwelkernbc who was clearly in command from start to finish with poise, substance and authority. Bravo!
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) October 23, 2020
Wow. I am awed by @kwelkernbc. Bravo, my friend! You made all of us proud. But most importantly the country is now better informed. #Debates2020
— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) October 23, 2020
And so did the audience:
“Home run,” one person in Nashville debate audience said loudly of moderator @kwelkernbc, and dozens who heard that comment voiced agreement. pic.twitter.com/iy20IVwwQQ
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) October 23, 2020
Her peers at other outlets also added to the accolades:
A tip of the Stetson to Kristen Welker. A consummate pro on a big and difficult stage.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) October 23, 2020
The winner of tonight’s debate is none other than @kwelkernbc. This debate felt normal. #Debates2020
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) October 23, 2020
And the winner of tonight’s debate was.....@kwelkernbc
Great job. And equally tough on both men#KudostoKristen— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) October 23, 2020
Congrats, @kwelkernbc. You made that look effortless, and I know it was not. #Debates2020
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) October 23, 2020
Kristen Welker deserves a lot of praise for how she moderated that debate tonight. She kept order, asked pertinent follow-up questions, and didn't make it about herself.
— Amber Athey (@amber_athey) October 23, 2020
Conservatives and liberals even agreed that Welker was aces:
Credit where due - @kwelkernbc did great tonight
— Rogan O’Handley (@DC_Draino) October 23, 2020
GREAT DEBATE!! Good moderator.. GREAT JOB TRUMP!!! Presidential PRESIDENT!!
— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) October 23, 2020
Kudos to debate moderator, @kwelkernbc. We Americans got to hear the candidates debate the issues.
And @JoeBiden WON.#BidenWonTheDebate #Debates2020
— Dena Grayson, MD, PhD (@DrDenaGrayson) October 23, 2020
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