Chris Wallace Talks About the ‘Stress’ of Being Fox News’ First Big Debate Moderator
The final presidential debate this Wednesday will be moderated by Chris Wallace, the first time in history a Fox News anchor has moderated a general election presidential debate. And he admits that doesn’t come without a lot of pressure.
Bret Baier, who filled in for Wallace on today’s Fox News Sunday, turned the tables on Wallace and profiled him for the show’s “Power Player” segment.
Wallace said he’s been working with a small research team to prep for the debate and he reflected on this past encounters and interviews with both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Wallace also reflected on what it means for him in particular to be moderating:
“It also means a lot to me because, quite frankly, it means something from Fox. I’m the first Fox moderator to do a general election debate and I’m very proud for the news organization. I think it’s a recognition of the fact that we do serious journalism. Some critics say no, but the fact is, you and I know we do. And here’s the Commission on Presidential Debates recognizing that. There’s a lot of pressure. There’s a lot of stress. We’ve seen the previous moderators get criticized. And at certain points, I’ve had to remind myself this may be a once in a life opportunity. So have fun. To the degree you can stop biting your nails, have fun with it.”
He also joked that if his father, the legendary Mike Wallace, was alive today, “he’d try to steal it from me” (but also say how proud of him he is).
Watch above, via Fox.
[image via screengrab]
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