Jim Lehrer blasted for his performance in first presidential debate

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PBS Executive Editor Jim Lehrer was criticized in various media circles for his performance during Wednesday’s first presidential debate after losing control of the proceedings and allegedly letting Republican candidate Mitt Romney “push him around.”

Lehrer, who moderated his 13th debate Wednesday, was “head-scratchingly absent,” wrote Buzzfeed’s Rosie Gray, who also pointed out criticism from several of his peers, including Meet The Press host David Gregory, who was himself pilloried for his performance in the Massachusetts senatorial debate Monday between Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA)

Even non-political media members like Today Show meteorologist Al Roker joined in the disparaging of Lehrer; “I hope Jim Lehrer gets the license plate of the truck that drove over him in this debate,” Roker said on Twitter.

On MSNBC, Hardball host Chris Matthews said Romney had a plan to “push [Lehrer] around, which he did effectively,” a criticism echoed by Current TV contributor Tricia Rose.

“[Barack] Obama esp. disadvantged with push over moderator,” she tweeted. “Jim Lehrer performed like NFL replacement refs.”