Worst Debate Ever

Jules Witcover slaps Koppel around:

Thanks a lot, Ted Koppel, for the worst presidential nomination debate yet.

...

Mr. Koppel's opening gambit of calling on all the candidates who thought former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean could beat President Bush next year to raise their hands immediately set a destructive tone for what was supposed to be an exploration of the issues facing the country.

When only Dr. Dean reached half-heartedly for the sky, the 90-minute farce started on a downhill slide from which it never recovered.

...

There was a time when news folk were supposed to keep themselves out of the story.

As an embarrassed member of the news fraternity, all I can say is: Thanks again, Ted. We needed that - like a hole in the head.