Kristen Welker's Stellar Performance in Final Presidential Debate Wins Praise from Both Sides

Kristen Welker's exceptional moderating skills in the final presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden on Thursday night earned widespread admiration from high-profile Democrats and Republicans alike. Welker, a correspondent for NBC News, kept the debate under control, adhering to the allotted time and interjecting when necessary. The Commission for Presidential Debates' decision to allow moderators to mute candidates' microphones if necessary was a measure brought in after Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden during the first presidential debate.

Key Takeaways:

• Kristen Welker, a correspondent for NBC News, moderated the final presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, receiving high praise from both Democrats and Republicans.
• Welker, the second Black woman to moderate a presidential debate solo, kept control of the debate throughout, adhering to time limits and interjecting when necessary.
• The Commission for Presidential Debates had introduced a new rule allowing moderators to mute candidates' microphones if necessary, implemented after Trump's interruptions during the first debate.
• Democrats, including former presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar and former DNC chair Donna Brazile, praised Welker's performance, hailing it as "excellent" and "amazing," respectively.
• Republicans, such as Meghan McCain and Bret Baier, also commended Welker's moderating skills, with Baier calling her a "total pro."
• Chris Wallace, Fox News anchor of the first debate, expressed jealousy over Welker's performance, stating he would have liked to moderate the debate and achieve a more balanced exchange.

Statistics:

• Kristen Welker, 44, is the youngest and only nonwhite journalist to moderate a presidential debate this year.
• Welker is the second Black woman to moderate a solo presidential debate, after Carole Simpson in 1992.
• Welker successfully moderated the debate while keeping president Trump and candidate Biden in check.
• The first presidential debate, which Chris Wallace moderated, was marked by Trump's repeated interruptions, prompting the introduction of the new rule.

Sources:

• Business Insider article "Kristen Welker, Democrats, and Republicans Praise Her Debate Moderator Performance"
• Twitter posts from prominent figures, including Meghan McCain, Bret Baier, Amy Klobuchar, and Donna Brazile
• Politico article "Chris Wallace Criticized After Debate Performance"
• Business Insider article "NBC News' Kristen Welker is the First Journalist of Color to Moderate a Solo Debate This Year"