With this debate being hyped as ‘in Trump’s wheelhouse’, don’t be surprised if this is not the most dangerous debate yet for the guy every media outlet is determined to bring down.

(Via NewsBusters) The RNC may regret its approval of John Harwood as lead moderator for Wednesday night’s GOP presidential debate on CNBC if past history is any guide.

John Harwood cnbcThe CNBC anchor and New York Times columnist admitted he and a producer helped make Rick Perry’s infamous “oops” moment even worse. In a November 13, 2011 New York Times column Harwood bragged:

“As he [Perry] scoured his memory, awkwardness drifted into levity. Mr. Perry smiled; I chuckled along with the audience. When Mr. Romney helpfully offered, ‘E.P.A.?’ Mr. Perry repeated it with a joshing wave of his hand. Since our tasks as moderators included keeping the conversation moving, Maria began asking a new question.

But our senior producer, who communicated with us throughout the debate through our earpieces, recognized the moment faster than we did. ‘DON’T STOP!’ the producer, Sandy Cannold, called out. So I asked whether the Environmental Protection Agency was in fact the third department on Mr. Perry’s list. He acknowledged that it wasn’t. When I offered him another chance, Mr. Perry glanced at notes but couldn’t find the answer (the Department of Energy).”

Harwood’s past takes on Republicans versus Democrats also reveal the potential for biased questioning at Wednesday night’s debate.

A Harwood interview with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul was so one-sided it actually caused the Paul to press back: “Don’t you have something better to read than crap from people who don’t like me?” Harwood predicted Florida Senator Marco Rubio would look like a “schoolboy” compared to Hillary Clinton in a debate.  (read more)

CNBC DEBATE LINEUP

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