Here’s a line included in a statement put out by the Commission on Presidential Debates last week that should concern a lot of voters: “While the focus [of the debates] will properly be on the candidates, the moderator will regulate the conversation so that thoughtful and substantive exchanges occur.”

That sounds innocuous, and it would be if not for the fact that the national media (members of which will be moderating the debates) have proven themselves utterly incapable of regulating anything, let alone “thoughtful and substantive” conversation.