Early winner of VP debate? CBSN moderator Elaine Quijano
The vice presidential debate Tuesday night was the first time and only time Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence faced off in the 2016 election.
It is also the first time a debate was moderated by an Asian-American woman, CBS News’ Elaine Quijano. At 42, Quijano is also the youngest woman to moderate a debate since Judy Woodruff in 1988.
The candidates came out swinging early. Quijano finally had to step in, telling Pence and Kaine “Gentlemen, the people at home cannot understand either one of you when you talk over each other.” That settled them down for a bit, although the interruptions and overtalking continued to flare up.
The early reviews on social media were filled with praise for Quijano’s evenhanded role.
Moderator is great (ACTUAL ISSUES!). Pence is terrific. Kaine reminds me of Paul Begala: smirking, interrupting and insulting.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) October 5, 2016
really winner of #VPDebate @Elaine_Quijano
— Greg #db2011 (@GregDB2011) October 5, 2016
Elaine Quijano did a great job!
— Sandra Hunter (@rt66sandy) October 5, 2016
Congratulations to #ElaineQuijano! She is the first Asian-American to moderate a presidential or vice presidential debate #VPDebate
— Miss Representation (@RepresentPledge) October 5, 2016
Great job @Elaine_Quijano https://t.co/DGOHvLSXG7
— Ashleigh Appel (@AppelAshleigh) October 5, 2016
All hail @Elaine_Quijano, who survived and won the #VPDebate.
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) October 5, 2016
Tonight @Elaine_Quijano makes history as the first Asian-American journalist to moderate a national debate. Cheering you on, friend! pic.twitter.com/SuUYaRB9xk
— Kid President (@iamkidpresident) October 5, 2016
Moderator @Elaine_Quijano is asking real questions tonight and seeking real answers... Thank God. #VPDebate
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) October 5, 2016
Kudos to @Elaine_Quijano for asking substantive questions...
— margaret brennan (@margbrennan) October 5, 2016
.@Elaine_Quijano is OWNING these mouthy men tonight! Way to run the show! @CBSNLive #VPdebate
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) October 5, 2016
Moderator @Elaine_Quijano does well by pointing out @GovPenceIN didn't answer the question about @realDonaldTrump and taxes
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) October 5, 2016
History made as @Elaine_Quijano is the first Asian-American journalist ever to moderate a national debate, and the youngest in 28 years. pic.twitter.com/qwKeUoDnxY
— Ryan Leong (@RyanLeong) October 5, 2016
FARMVILLE --@Elaine_Quijano doing awesome job, showing us all how it's done. #VPDebate Awesome pacing, control, and substantive questions.
— Kevin Cirilli (@kevcirilli) October 5, 2016
Elaine Quijano is doing great. She's making history AND, best part, she's a native Chicagoan. https://t.co/OUhmjpdJOl
— Gia Ghani (@giaghani) October 5, 2016
.@Elaine_Quijano channels America: “Gentlemen, the people at home cannot understand either one of you when you talk over each other.”
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) October 5, 2016
Quijano even won the praise of satirical website The Onion.
Nation's Women Relating Fully To Elaine Quijano Right Now #VPDebate
— Onion Politics (@OnionPolitics) October 5, 2016
But there were some who claimed that Quijano let the two men talk over each other and her too.
Elaine Quijano is losing control, plain and simple. The men just keep talking over each other
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) October 5, 2016
I'd like Elaine Quijano to give them more room to debate back & forth. Her questions are good, but public can learn a lot from back & forth.
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) October 5, 2016
And.... Elaine Quijano has lost control.
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) October 5, 2016
After the debate concluded, Cosmopolitan.com called Quijano “the clear winner.” But The Washington Post concluded reviews from the media were “mixed” about Quijano. USA Today, meanwhile, concluded that Quijano “did her best” to “rein in the mansplainers.”