Moderate independent explains the Faux set-up for the debate:

[robbedvoter]

NEW FOX REALITY SHOW DEBUTED LAST NIGHT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: WHO WANTS TO BE AN ASS KISSING RIGHT-WING WONK

We Would Satirize Their Debate And Post-Debate Coverage, But They Are So Absurd At This Point They Are Their Own Self-Parody

by John S. Ashton
 
http://www.moderateindependent.com/v2i2debate.htm
JANUARY 23, 2003 – It's one thing for right-wing puppet station FOX News, owned by Australian-born Rupert Murdoch and his China-born wife Wendy Deng, to become so pathetic in its flat out biased manipulation that it is completely predictable.  So predictable that we were able, two days before last night's debate hosted by their network, to write what they would do as if it were a cliche sitcom script and not a supposed news broadcast.
snip
Jennings:

"General Clark, someone said something honest and accurate that the Republicans didn't like.  Why didn't you scold him for it?"

"He has a right to speak."

"Aha!  Did you see that America?  General Clark said Americans should have a right to say honest things!  Proof he is not going to be liked by the non-M/I media - and doesn't take it up the butt from the GOP elephant like we all do.  How can you, in good conscience America, vote for somebody who stands up for American values rather than bending over for elephant dick?

[BootinUp]

1. Any political commentary

that compares the GOP to elephants in heat deserves my support!

[MercutioATC]

2. Peter Jennings was the most liberal panel member they had. He's no

friend to Bush.

Yes, this debate had kind of a nasty tinge to it but I don't think it was anywhere near as bad as you're suggesting. Frankly, I was surprised that Fox didn't make it much more biased.

[robbedvoter]

3. Agree. Here's my explanation for it:

http://robbedvoter.forclark.com/story/2004/1/23/71614/3493

[bearfartinthewoods]

6. since this is a joint fox/abc event, i hold abc accountable

especially for junnings snarkiness. the last fox debate was ten times better. in fact, it was the best or second best run debate of the cycle imho. this one was very disappointing based on their previous effort.

[Skwmom]

4. I notice how little replies there are to this post.

I'm beginning to think you could give the Democrats the entire Republican playbook and they would still blindly walk off the cliff.

[xultar]

5. I suggesst a spamming campaign to Jennings for his biased

performace. Clark only received 1 policy question.

:grr:

[TexasSissy]

7. I couldn't agree more. Clark gave the perfect answer - on the spot

and unprepared. Excellent.