Behind the scenes, NBC execs concede Matt Lauer forum performance was "disaster"

[brooklynite]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by In_The_Wind (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: CNN

NBC News knows the "Commander-in-Chief Forum" was not Matt Lauer's finest hour.

One executive, speaking anonymously, was blunt about it: "Disaster."

The day after Lauer's back-to-back interviews of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, several high ranking sources at the network said they hear the criticism and agree with at least some of it.

Even his internal defenders acknowledge flaws in the forum's production.

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/08/media/nbc-news-forum-trump-clinton-postmortem/index.html

[shraby]

1. Maybe they should put a lot more thought into having a moderator who would try to be

a lot more fair in asking the questions and countering blatant jibberish such as trump displayed.

[Jason1961]

2. We need real journalists

That was awful to watch, it appears that our journalists are afraid of Trump and that is far more terrifying than an 8 year Trump Presidency.

[Warpy]

3. Lauer played excactly by their rulebook, always has

The only reason that they're upset is because so many people finally noticed it.

Blatant partisanship only works in the morning when people are getting ready for work and the caffeine hasn't kicked in yet.

[JudyM]

12. Well-stated, Warpy!

We are seeing curtains pulled back more and more these days.

[athena]

15. My thoughts exactly.

Lauer did what he was told. NBC is just upset that it didn't work.

[spiderpig]

4. No fair! "Disaster" is Trumpy's special word.

[moonscape]

7. Yeah, and he has ruined it for the times I almost use it. The other

day in casual conversation the word tried to escape my lips but my gut wouldn't allow it.

[HuckleB]

5. Duh.

[exboyfil]

6. Well Lester Holt at NBC is the first moderator

Is he up to actually moderating a substantive debate? Since he is already an anchor I would hope he had no fear regarding his career if he is the one who helps to drive the stake into the heart of Mr. Trump. Note: He only has to do this by doing his job. Matt Lauer missed a golden opportunity to advance his career.

[berksdem]

8. this is no defense of Lauer...

but let's be honest this guy is not a journalist. He is someone that is more of a TV host and is not fit to lead these types of forums. With that said if the media is going to continue to fear The Teflon Don we need to be really concerned... The more I watch the more I fear that this A$$HOLE of a human being is going to win this November.

[malcolmboeing]

9. Fear of Trump winning.

I agree with this. I have several friends that are voting for Trump. It is all quite shocking.

[Sunlei]

10. I think Matt Lauer was fine and Clinton did great! trump got less flushed as his time went on.

Republican needs better makeup artist and some meds for that blood pressure problem. Speak to palins botoxer, she'll hook ya up Mr. Trump.

[MFM008]

11. I believe all the moderators

Will soft ball the maggot.
The fight will have to come from HRC...as usual.

[Owl]

13. I didn't see the big problem with Mr. Lauer.

[PSPS]

14. This was already posted in LBN yesterday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141567965

[In_The_Wind]

16. Locking Duplicate Thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141567965