As David Axelrod observed on Twitter, the Democratic debate on MSNBC began as a brawl ended in hugs. But the hugs were not between the candidates, but, rather, between one of the moderators and the two debaters. Rachel Maddow first embraced Bernie Sanders and then Hillary Clinton. Is this a big deal? Twitter is torn. So we’re putting it to you.
Can you imagine the backlash if @megynkelly hugged @marcorubio (or any/all @GOP candidates) onstage after a debate? https://t.co/JRhQdey6fV
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) February 5, 2016
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Rachel Maddow embraces both Clinton and Sanders at end of debate. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a moderator do that before.
— Brit Hume (@brithume) February 5, 2016
@JoyBells87 @chucktodd @maddow people hug. I like hugs. You?
— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) February 5, 2016
Maddow gives both Bernie and Hillary a hug.
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) February 5, 2016
Update: Rachel Maddow has responded to the criticism:
If/when GOP invites me and MSNBC to host a primary debate, rest assured I am definitely hugging those guys, too. #I'mAHugger
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) February 5, 2016
Following the RNC’s displeasure with CNBC’s GOP debate in October, the party pulled a debate that was to air on NBC this month, and gave it to CNN instead.