Presidential debate moderator Jim Lehrer: 'We're at the main event'

Initially, I prepared this story as a preview in the St. Petersburg Times for tonight's presidential debate -- based on an interview I'd done with moderator Jim Lehrer back in August -- before John McCain kept everybody guessing until the last moment over whether he would actually participate.

Now that we know McCain is showing up in Mississippi, here's a look at the American journalist who may be best suited to handle this clash of the electoral titans: PBS anchor Lehrer.

Well known for his old school journalism values and determination to keep the focus away from himself during debates, Lehrer, 74, will take the stage just months after recovering from heart valve surgery in April.

Here are some quotes about the debate culled from an interview with Lehrer in August:

“My bottom line has always been that after one of these debates -- and this will be my 11th debate -- if people are talking about me or some question I have asked, then I have failed. This is not about the moderator -- it never has been. It’s about the people who are running for president of the United States. It’s not about the question, how cute they are or how tough they are -- their only purpose is to draw out the candidates about what they think and what they believe they will do, end of statement, there’s nothing more to it than that. It sure as hell is not about me -- and it never will be.”
***
“You gotta remember what’s going on here. This is the final act. This other stuff has been the preliminaries. Now, we’re at the main event, we have the two people there, one of whom is going to be the president of the United States, and a lot of people haven’t paid attention to any of this stuff. Polls have shown in the past, 30, 40 percent of the people are still not sure who they’re going to vote for. Some people want the debate to confirm their opinions, other people are undecided . . . it’s a new stage, with a new curtain going up and a whole new audience. Everybody will be there for that. What happened before, is not anywhere near the same frame of reference.”
***
“I’m very old-fashioned. I believe each type of journalist should do his or her own type of journalism. There’s straight reporting, there’s analysis and there’s opinion and those three should not be done by the same people. And I think if they blur the lines too much they’re going to lose some credibility when they really need it. They’re going to need it when there’s a breaking news event and there are some struggling facts. And when somebody who is giving you the facts that are struggling to be understood also has been giving you their opinion, well . . . I just think the route toward credibility and retaining credibility is to keep those separations there.”
***
“Nobody is sick of hearing about the next president of the United States. And if you think of them, in this case, you’ve got John McCain or Barack Obama -- one of them is going to be the next President. And the American public cares deeply who that person is going to be. Because their home mortgage, their jobs, whether their kids or themselves is going to be sent into harm’s way, is riding on who that person is going to be. The fact that somebody (in some poll) says ‘Oh I’m tired of hearing about fill-in-the-blank’ -- that’s ridiculous. There’s no evidence that I’m aware of that people are tired of this at all. They may be tired of hearing trivial matters about these people. But they want to hear everything that matters about them -- what they want to do about energy, what they want to do about Iraq -- If they’re on a substantial subject, they’re engaged.”

*

Comments

[IdhitThat]

Forget McCain, Let's talk about how sexy Jim Lehrer is.

[Steve]

Obama clearly won this debate. McCain is completely out of touch. By supporting Bush 90% of the time he too is responsible for the horrible shape the country is in. Eight years of misery....NO MORE!

Go Obama!

[David]

Did you know McCain was a war hero, I think he might have said that once or twice or maybe three or four, well maybe a few more than that, times tonight. I don't care what you've done, what can and will you do now!!

[Chris]

It's amazing isn't it? Reagan and Bush were already responsible for 90% of the National Debt, and now Phil Gramm's deregulation of the financial industry collapses the stock market. And yet they continue to spout this BS about being fiscal conservatives. People who vote Republican are dumb as a box of rocks.

[Tracie]

Yeah, that's it... the race thing. Typical response.

It's just a respect thing. If I was a teacher, in a meeting in front of other, I would refer to another teacher as Mrs. So and So. Not, Jill. We aren't having lunch, we are in front of a group of people.

They are running for the office of the US Presidency. Hello!

John. It's just very tacky are disrespectful.

Also, you must have not seen what McCain went through. He could've left, got special treatment, but refused due to a code of honor (first captured, first to leave)
So he ended up staying for 5 more years. He went through 2 years of solitary confinement, beaten daily, broken bones.

By that point you would've sold your mother to the dogs to get out of the pain.

And the other comments, he's human. Not perfect of sinless. Obama was using drugs and admits to being a pothead and using coke. McCain cheated on his first wife after being a POW for 5 years.

Neither is a saint. They are human.

But, my personal belief is that the president should have served in the military. If you are going to be the commander in chief, you should have gone through basic training and served with the common man.

[Tracy]

LOL Tracie...When did it become disrespectful to call a colleague by his first name? Is it disrespectful because Obama is Black and mcCain is White? Is it because McCain is an old man and Obama is younger. I don't get it.

And please explain how McCain is a war hero. He was captured and then rolled over when they began to torture him. Hero's go down to the death for their country, now punk out and talk like a parrot.

[David]

McCain is way to arrogant and cocky. He only cares about the upper class. He consistently belittles Sen. Obama and all he does is talk about war stories. NO WAY TO MCCAIN!!!

[Chris]

When McCain came back from Vietnam, he cheated repeatedly on his crippled wife, and then divorced her to marry Cindy Hensley. In the 1980's McCain lobbied for Charles Keating, the saving and loan felon who stole billions in pension money, and took numerous jet set vacations at Keating's expense. His campaigns for the Senate were all financed with his wife Cindy's mob money. In 1994 Cindy McCain forged prescriptions in the names of her employees and stole drugs from her own charity. McCain's campaign this year is getting huge amounts of oil company money. His pick for vice president is under an ethics investigation and will probably be recommeded for indictment in October. McCain is 72 years old, has had cancer 5 times and is on 5 different medications.

[Tracie]

Sen. Obama has called Sen. McCain, "John", four times now.

I have *absolutely NO respect* Sen Obama. He is cocky, rude and *EXTREMELY disrespectful* for the American hero Senator John McCain.

I missed sylvia's comments, but it sounds like Gretchen is describing Nancy Bostock, another McCain supporter who is running for county commission.

[Gretchen]

slyvia- You are a redneck and need to get a life sweetie. You're the kind of person that sits behind your computer while making racist comments but wouldn't DARE say any of that nonsense to someones face. Please go back to the trailer you crawled out of.

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

McCain -- not Obama -- is the one who may be a secret Muslim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5qbzRl-MkI

[Mac Daddy]

McCain sharp as a bowling ball
Palin dumber than a box of rocks
combined = Dumb & Dumber

[jb]

let the banks and wall st fall,then they will know how it feels to be broke and homeless

[Mac Daddy]

WOW!,I thought Bush and company were only taking out us,regular folks,I feel for you Jimmy Mack,Hang in there Bro

[true republican]

Listen folks everything is going to be fine now that the tax payers will bail out my stock portfolio. Nothing better for this country then good old republican bailouts for us wealthy types. Oh Ya sorry the rest of you still are out of work and losing your homes, but be sure to pay your taxes otherwise the bailout for me will not work. Thanks Mr President.

[The Daily McCain]

Wow - John McCain reviews his debate strategy here:

http://www.youtube.com/TheDailyMcCain

[Jimmy Mack]

Yeah, the republicans have done alright by me... I was prosperous and worth a million dollars when Bush came into office. Now, I have been laid off from work, my stocks are worthless, and I could lose my home. Thanks, Republicans!!! I don't need any more of your "help"...

[Johnny]

Just to make it clear, people, Barack Obama is a christian. Second, Obama is for a $1,000 middle class tax cut. Third, be for McCain, thats fine, don't be racist and ignorant, its 2008 not 1848.

[judec]

Barack Obama is clearly the best choice for America. He understands the issues far better than McCain does, has a steady temperament, and is a natural leader.

McCain often seems confused, makes mistakes, forgets things he should surely know. I think he is declining mentally due to age.

Also, McCain's health is a very serious concern, and Palin is totally incompetent! McCain's first important decision, and he blew it big-time!

[florida?]

Really? In the 21st century? Things could get ugly if we let the stupid control things any longer. If you're too blind to see, or better yet, too poor to care then vote republican. It's obvious these pro mccain people didn't care about his courage and service back in 2000 when they voted for an awol, rich, idiot and now we're supposed to believe that a guy who suspends his campaign in a time of crisis is the answer? Give me a break you turtle neck losers and educate yourselves, Obama is truly trying to give you your best chance at changing the way it works in this country. If color is your thing then you shouldn't be smart enough to know where the polling place is and that's thanks enough.

[Bigforkgirl]

I was recently in Tampa for a conference and am so impressed with the riverfront development, your performing arts center, and the visitor friendly atmosphere. However, some of the comments posted above reflect very poorly on the racists still living in your community. I hope people living in Tampa Bay call them out, as your city's reputation is sullied by them.

[Tom]

Tara, if Mr. Palin was half a husband, he would have removed his wife from the VP race right after the Katy Curic interview about Russia and Israel last night. No man would allow his wife to make a big fool out of herself on national TV. She is the laughing stock of America. Even O'Reilly could not spin out of her remarks.

[Melanie]

There is a reason the KKK wears dunce caps.

[jsfox]

Lets get our facts straight here folks.

1) Obama is not muslim. Period end of this stupid discussion

2) Next historically the American economy has done better under Democratic Presidents than Republican. Please do not take my word for it.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_05/006282.php
3) Obama is not going to raise your taxes . In fact 95% of the people who read this paper will get a tax cut. You can figure out what is here: http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/

Next if you are some idiot white supremacist you may want to consider moving back to 1939 and Germany.

[Lisa]

I have loved John McCain for al long, long, time -- After watching Sarah with Katie last night... I don't know anymore... I really don't know --

[Bubba]

you got that right sylvia i am flying the flag at my house now right next to my mccain sign

git er done john mccain

[Marc Spencer]

If John McCain does not win, we will end up with gay marriage, increased taxes, and a muslim running the country. The choice is clear.

NObama!

[Esther]

John and Sarah you are my heroes! Please protect us from these socialist democrats! We don't need a muslim in the White House!

John/Sarah promise:

NO ABORTIONS! (Thank you for being outstanding Christians on this issue!!!!!)

NO TAX RAISE (of course they are Republicans!)

WAR! (We will win in Iraq and bomb Iran!!!)

[McCain's talking hemorrhoid]

it should be entertaining watching Obama tear Grandpa to shreds,Obama quick thinking,fast on his feet
McCain,old out of touch and really doesn't have a clue of whats going on.
Let the games begin.
Palin,whats she going to do,school Biden in the art of changing diapers,and how to keep your teenage daughter from getting pregnant,HA

[Johnny Matthis]

Erick, you must have gotten into the Kool-aid. John McCain is a war hero and POW. He has more foreign policy experience in his finger than Obama does. McCain has this debate won. He is an excellent speaker. Also, you are wrong Sarah Palin is very qualified to be the Vice President and she will mop the floor with Joe Biden!

[Erick]

First of all, McCain is not articluate enough to outdo Obama, it doesn't matter what your politics are. Obama is a great speaker and will do very well against a man who takes twice as long to get his point across. And Palin is no match for Biden because he has too much knowledge about running a country and foreign policy. She has no real substance to back up her quippy little comments and Biden is just too strong in his command of the issues. Just be realistic here.

[Tara]

John McCain will win this debate and show why he is a true American hero! I can not wait to see Sarah Palin rip Joe Biden to shreads in her debate too!

McCain/Palin 2008 - Experience we need!