GOP leaders, unhappy with some of the mainstream media moderators for their presidential debates in 2012, wanted to include more conservative voices in the party's 2016 primary debates. One of the most notable additions to the debate process this time around was Hugh Hewitt, the policy-driven host of a popular talk radio show who is widely respected within the Republican Party.
But despite major anticipation for his role in Wednesday night's marathon three-hour debate, Hewitt was largely absent. He asked only four sets of questions as CNN's Jake Tapper handled the lion's share of the moderating duties. Hewitt questioned a handful of the candidates on Syria, Hillary Clinton, their foreign policy advisers, and gun legislation, at times going nearly an hour between appearances on screen. That proved a disappointment to some Republicans, including operative Matt Mackowiak and former George W. Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer, who had been eager to hear more from the wonky commentator who's built a reputation for conducting tough, in-depth interviews.
What a waste of @hughhewitt's knowledge, talent and interviewing ability. #CNNDebate
— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) September 17, 2015
Where's Hugh Hewitt? Let him ask questions.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 17, 2015
The other panelist on stage, Dana Bash of CNN, also played a limited role in the debate, as Marco Rubio adviser Jim Merrill tweeted with about 45 minutes to go.
With due respect to terrific Dana Bash and Hugh Hewitt, what is the point of having them on stage if #CNNDebate isn't going to use them?
— Jim Merrill (@JimMerrillNH) September 17, 2015
But it was Hewitt who many observers had their eye on heading into the second Republican debate of the cycle. Hewitt, who routinely invites members of the GOP presidential field on his radio program, made headlines earlier this month after tripping up Trump on foreign policy, the radio host's pet topic. Trump responded by calling him a "third-rate radio announcer," but Hewitt later said he thought Trump simply misheard him when he appeared to confuse the Quds and the Kurds.