WASHINGTON, D.C. — If Monday night’s presidential debate will be best known for “horses and bayonets,” then Tuesday’s debate will without a doubt be remembered for the words of indomitable media icon and the night’s moderator, Larry King: “We’re on drugs.”
King, 78, had come out of semi-retirement to moderate the first of two debates featuring third-party candidates for the presidency. During a discussion of drug policy, Constitution Party candidate Virgil Goode quickly veered off into areas of the federal budget like Planned Parenthood that he said he would zero out if president.
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The wide-ranging answer drew a quick rebuke from King. “We’re on drugs. We’re on drugs,” he reminded Goode, before moving on to Libertarian candidate former Gov. Gary Johnson.
“Gov. Johnson on drugs,” King said without a hint of irony.
The debate, which King pointed out took place in a downtown Chicago Hilton ballroom and featured Johnson, Goode, Green Party candidate Jill Stein and the Justice Party’s Rocky Anderson, didn’t get off to an auspicious start.
King’s microphone didn’t work when the veteran broadcaster first sought to begin the night’s proceedings. Later, King launched directly into the questions — which were submitted via Twitter and other social networks. But after the candidates had answered the first question on state election laws, Stein pointed out that King had not first had the candidates give opening statements.
Following a brief back and forth, the candidates proceeded to give their opening statements, albeit secondly.
