MSNBC/WDSU mayoral debate was pathetic

I didn't watch the mayoral debate last night. I can't stand Chris Matthews and Norm Robinson. It sounds like my attitude was only confirmed by the "moderators" grandstanding their own egos rather than getting citizens' questions answered.

The goal of an interviewer or moderator is to not make himself the focus of the interview:

Robinson, the local anchor, also seemed bent on arguing with the candidates himself rather than having them argue with one another.

Robinson is smart, but instead seems to like to parade his status more than his professional skills.

The goal of an interviewer or moderator should be to ask questions that elicit useful information.

Over and over, Matthews moved back to trying to draw out the candidates’ positions on national issues unlikely to be of much relevance to local voters.

What was the purpose of Matthews quizzing Nagin and Landrieu what they think about John McCain or Hillary Clinton?

My answer is that Matthews asked about what he knows (useless gossip), or talked about his streetwise prejudices (blaming local politicians exclusively for the failed federal levees). He didn't do any homework to prepare questions that might elicit information that would actually help voters decide which candidate would be the best mayor to rebuild New Orleans.

Pathetic!