On CBS, Veteran Debate Moderator Says Fact-Checking Is Part Of Debate Moderator's Role
Bob Schieffer: If The Candidates Don't Fact-Check Each Other, "Then The Moderator Steps In And Sets The Record Straight" Video ››› 6 hours 56 min ago ››› MEDIA MATTERS STAFF
JOHN DICKERSON (HOST): There's been a big question about fact-checking and what the moderator's role should be in that. How do you see that question?
BOB SCHIEFFER: Well -- and I've said and I've thought about this over the years, after doing these things -- the first fact-checkers have to be the candidates themselves. If one candidate makes a mistake, you want to give the other person a chance to call him out on that.
If he or she doesn't, then the moderator steps in and sets the record straight. But if you don't give the candidates themselves that opportunity, you're being unfair to both of them.