How will MSNBC's role as both news channel and face of the anti-Trump Resistance affect the Democratic primary debate?

The Washington Post

Rachel Maddow's presence Wednesday and Thursday as a moderator at the first Democratic primary debate has caused some controversy, even though Maddow moderated a Democratic debate with Chuck Todd during the 2016 Democratic primaries. "She has developed a devoted following, but Maddow’s status as a 'Resistance' cable host has drawn opposition from unexpected quarters, including the New York Times, when executive editor Dean Baquet recently objected to sending a reporter to Maddow’s show to discuss a news story, citing a desire to keep Times journalists off opinion shows," reports Sarah Ellison. Maddow has also been criticized by her Fox News counterpart Sean Hannity, who he says he wouldn't be to allowed to moderate a Republican presidential debate. Maddow “is first and foremost a journalist. It’s not her first rodeo. She did this before in 2016 and has been pretty successful in this area,” says Rashida Jones, senior vice president of specials for NBC and MSNBC, in defending the MSNBC host. “Our goal was to ensure that we have a group of people who come from different points of view and different perspectives. We have a unique opportunity to bring a big swath of viewpoints in one conversation at one table and we wanted to lean into that.”

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