NAPC candidate debate tonight

My dictionary defines "moderator" as "the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting."

In Choosing a Moderator:

2. Select a moderator
The moderator should be someone who is well-respected and viewed by the public as politically neutral and nonpartisan. Ideally, the moderator should be someone who lives outside of the voting district. The perceived objectivity of your moderator is crucial to candidates, the media and forum-sponsoring organizations. A journalist is a good person to choose as the moderator due to their experience with being objective and nonpartisan. Actually, he should not just be viewed as non-partisan, he must be non-partisan.

It is your job to prepare your moderator well (give them questions in advance if possible, review process and format with them, help them to shape conversations, and do practice runs).

The League of Womens Voters says:
The Moderator
A well-qualified moderator is essential for a successful candidate meeting. Look for a poised and assertive individual who can maintain control over the meeting's progress without stifling audience and candidate participation. The person must be impartial. The role of the moderator is essential; an alternate should be designated in advance to be ready in event of illness.

When you consider the candidate forums that have been held at the Lake Worth Playhouse by the political NAPC organization, it is a circus event; it is a show and usually the best one in town.  You never know what will come out of the mouth of a candidate or out of the mouth of a moderator.  I'll never forget candidate John Jordan or John Rinaldi as moderator.  The audience is packed with partisan politicos-- banging on walls is not unusual.  It's bad enough with the partisan "enthusiasts" who attend for the one night but a PARTISAN moderator?  You can't beat that with a stick.

See you tonight at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 6:30 pm.