The focus of the second presidential debate is, of course, on
As Lester Holt knows, keeping all of that under control is no easy task. Here's what viewers on social media said about the CNN anchor and ABC News chief:
Many cheered for Cooper, who immediately brought up Trump's newly-released lewd comments from 2005.
Cooper called Trump's words about women "sexual assault." Trump just kept repeating that it was "locker room talk."
Good on Anderson Cooper for calling sexual assault, sexual assault.
— Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) October 10, 2016
Anderson cooper pressing Trump hard. Kind of disturbing that Trump won't deny allegations
— David Petrovics (@dpetrovics) October 10, 2016
Anderson Cooper pulled no punches with that question. Props.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) October 10, 2016
On the other hand, there were those on Twitter who thought Raddatz treated Trump unfairly.
She did, however, allow Trump to respond to Clinton's comments. Only after he asked.
Raddatz was going to move on and not allow Trump respond? Ridiculous. He responds by talking about the issues. Good.
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) October 10, 2016
Shorter Raddatz: "Let's hold the applause, unless it's for Hillary."#Debate
— Adam Baldwin (@AdamBaldwin) October 10, 2016
@realDonaldTrump staying calm and calculated Martha Raddatz rudely interjects- if she does the same for @HillaryClinton ok @foxandfriends
— Brian Kilmeade (@kilmeade) October 10, 2016
Cooper interjected to stop Trump from speaking out of turn. Most of Twitter was here for it.
Meanwhile, Trump and some of his supporters complained that with the moderators, the debate was "one on three."
Feeling a lot of respect for Anderson Cooper right now. #debate
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) October 10, 2016
Why isn't Martha telling Hillary to answer the question? #riggeddebate
— Quaterrius Manuel (@gopquay) October 10, 2016
Anderson Cooper has had enough. We are all Anderson Cooper.
— Jen (@juniperlilacs) October 10, 2016
Will someone please tell Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz they aren't debating and just stick to ASKING the questions not adding rebuttal.
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) October 10, 2016
And then there was more Cooper and Trump back and forth.
Views on Cooper's role in the tête–à–tête were mixed.
Trump seems to hate Anderson cooper. What is this a #debate? A town hall? I don’t understand the format, it doesn’t seem to have held.
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) October 10, 2016
Good on Anderson Cooper trying to squeeze policy details out of @realDonaldTrum. Didn't work.
— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike_Hixenbaugh) October 10, 2016
Like her co-moderator, Raddatz was firm with Trump, asking him to stay on topic.
Trump was not happy, but many on Twitter were.
Martha Raddatz doing a great job of pressing the candidates to stay on topic and answer questions. #debates
— Stacie Wagner (@FoxInSox75) October 10, 2016
Trump mansplaining Martha Raddatz who will NOT play.
— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) October 10, 2016
The second time he asked, Raddatz didn't allow Trump extra time.
"Mr. Trump, we're going to move on," Raddatz said, firmly, when Trump tried to reply to Clinton's comments. He listened. Then, she repeated her questions that she felt were left unanswered.
SLAY, MARTHA RADDITZ!! Shut him down. #debate
— BUST Magazine (@bust_magazine) October 10, 2016
"We. Are. Moving. On." Martha's about ready to put him in a timeout. #debate
— Stacey Burns (@WentRogue) October 10, 2016
Tough follow-ups from moderators tonight -- totally different than last two debates.
— Matea Gold (@mateagold) October 10, 2016
Overall, viewers had plenty of positive reviews for the moderators.
Many wanted Cooper and Raddatz to run for office, especially after Raddatz cut both candidates off with this almost-sarcastic line: "Thank you very much, both of you."
Can Anderson Cooper be president?
— MonteCristo (@MonteCristo) October 10, 2016
Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz, 2020?
— Shan Wang ☃ (@shansquared) October 10, 2016
