Fox Business moderators drew a mixed response on Tuesday night, with praise for their questions but critique for not doing more to challenge some assertions from the Republican candidates.
Fox Business journalists Maria Bartiromo and Neil Cavuto were joined by Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Gerard Baker as moderators of the debate that was billed as attempting to be the polar opposite of the previous CNBC debate that was widely critiqued.
The candidates certainly seemed pleased with the moderators.
"I can say the candidates were very happy with you guys," Ben Carson told Cavuto in an interview just minutes after the debate ended.
"Especially after that last catastrophe, I think you did a great job," Donald Trump said to Cavuto in an interview after Carson.
It was certainly a different debate. The questions from the FBN moderators struck a far different tone than those from CNBC, avoiding pitting candidates against each other or trying to catch them in contradictions.
It was also one of the most equitable. Ted Cruz had received the most time through the 6th break with 12 minutes. Ben Carson, who had the least, wasn't that far behind at 8.5 minutes.
#GOPDebate speaking time, 6th break: Cruz 12m Kasich 11.3m Trump 11.7m Fiorina 10.1m Rubio 9.7m Bush 9.5m Paul 9.3m Carson 8.5m— Jason Russell (@JRussellMI) November 11, 2015
The moderators drew praise for their questions from a variety of different journalists and commentators. Baker seemed to have drawn plaudits for tough questions.
What a grown-up first question— David Frum (@davidfrum) November 11, 2015
This is the most substantive debate so far. By far.— Matt Viser (@mviser) November 11, 2015
Two of the good things about debate: Moderators are letting candidates go. And there's no Twitter ticker.— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) November 11, 2015
Kudos to FBN moderators. Some serious substance being discussed, and provocative ideas being put on the table.— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) November 11, 2015
The contrast between CNBC & Fox Business moderators is dramatic.— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) November 11, 2015
Questions are solid. Most candidates avoiding specifics though.— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) November 11, 2015
The positive sentiments about the substance of the questions were offset by concerns that candidates were not answering the questions posed, instead quickly pivoting to their usual talking points.
These debate questions have been great, but without even the threat of follow up, they’re basically invitations for the candidates to stump.— Derek Thompson (@DKThomp) November 11, 2015
It seems like Fox Business is just letting the candidates rehearse their stump speeches rather than debate— Kendall Breitman (@KendallBreitman) November 11, 2015
Non-adversarial journalism isn't so interesting, it turns out. Also, they already have social media.— Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) November 11, 2015
First debate Fox moderators > Fox Business moderators— Marin Cogan (@marincogan) November 11, 2015
Fiorina has just broken the indoor world record for not dealing with the premise of a question.— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) November 11, 2015
There had been some expectation that Ben Carson would face serious scrutiny.
Tuesday night was the first debate since a series of stories questioning the veracity of numerous details about Carson's life story. Politico and CNN each published stories, but Carson pushed back.
Cavuto posed a question about the stories, but framed it around whether Carson felt he was being treated fairly by the media. It left some feeling as though the topic had not been adequately addressed.
fox straight up allowed ben carson to walk away unchallenged there— Tony Romm (@TonyRomm) November 11, 2015
That was about as softball for Carson as you could possible get. #GOPDebate— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) November 11, 2015
While the moderators were able to keep most of the candidates in check apart from a few scuffles, candidates routinely went past the bell that signaled when their time was up.
I am sad for the buzzer. It has lost the debate.— Katie Lannan (@katielannan) November 11, 2015
THE BELL MEANS NOTHING— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) November 11, 2015
It was generally a good night for Fox Business, one that helped the channel set itself apart from CNBC.
That wasn't lost on Cavuto, who tossed one last bit of shade at CNBC. Republican National Committee Chariman Reince Priebus wasn't as sublte.
“Business issues can be riveting because it wasn’t about us” - Cavuto says in closing ONE FINAL SHOT— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) November 11, 2015
And that @CNBC is how you run a debate.— Reince Priebus (@Reince) November 11, 2015