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UPDATE 8/13/12 : CNN’S Candy Crowley To Moderate Presidential Debate
Not since 1992, when Carole Simpson moderated a presidential debate between George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot, has a woman sat in that coveted chair.
Three teenage girls from Montclair, N.J. say this is unacceptable and they are doing something about it.
16-year old Elena Tsemberis explains it to the Daily Beast this way:
“It’s necessary that our country sees a woman in this prominent position, being visible on the political stage, asking the questions. Having a female moderator at the debate will visibly show that women are being considered in the election process. A female moderator would be able to add a new perspective to the debates and touch on topics that are salient for women in this country, like reproductive rights, inequality in the workplace, and how the economy impacts women and their families.”
Not bad for a 16-year-old. Heck…not bad for most adults.
What Elena, along with Emma Axelrod and Sammi Siegel, have done is gather more than 118, 000 signatures on a petition demanding a female moderator. They’ve delivered that petition to the Commission of Presidential Debates.
Remains to be seen if the Commission will select a woman for this election season. Funny thing, these presidential elections come around again in four years. I’m sure Elena, Emma and Sammi will be watching then too.
I’m the father of a 10 year old daughter and as she grows up, I want her to witness the same opportunities and roles for women as for men. I agree with these teens, the petition, and don’t want to wait four more years to see the female moderator in a presidential debate.
I thought they already decided on Candy Crowley.