I just re-watched the opening of the Oct. 19 candidate forum featuring U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar and Republican challenger Chip Cravaack. It seems to me moderator Dave Orman started all the rabble-rousing with his exuberant call of, "Isn't this exciting?" He virtually solicited cheers. He followed that with shout-outs to school groups.
It was not the opening of a debate but the opening of a rally. That the crowd got out of hand after that was understandable -- not excusable, but understandable.
Then Oberstar showed arrogance by refusing to even acknowledge Cravaack. It just got worse from there.
Knowing that passions are running high this political season, the moderators (including the News Tribune's Chuck Frederick, another moderator) should have been better prepared for crowd control and should have taken control.
Marcia Lang
ADVERTISEMENT
Two Harbors
