Moderator Martha Raddatz pushed both vice-presidential candidates in the debate last night—and both got testy with her—but weirdly, it seemed like she could take it, and also-weirdly, Republicans prefer the demure Jim Lehrer. Meanwhile, everyone else and their mother thinks Raddatz did a fantastic job—a better job than a man! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??? Um, remember how some teenage girls in New Jersey had to be all, "Hey, ladies could moderate the presidential debates and WHY THE HELL AREN'T THEY?"

The Washington Post talked about and to ol' Jim Lehrer back then:

Jim Lehrer of PBS is one broadcast pro who definitely can do it. Eleven moderating gigs since 1988 arguably make him the Michael Phelps of presidential debates. He groaned at the comparison during our phone interview (sorry sir, it needs to stay in) and agreed these are skills not easily aggregated.

“You need the ability to think and talk at the same time and do it on live TV. You have to know ‘Is this person saying something really important that has to be followed up on?’ while you are wondering ‘how much time do I have left?’”

There is more. “It requires a tremendous amount of homework because you also have to be relaxed.”

Jim Lehrer was pretty relaxed, all right.

Martha Raddatz: a lady who can think and talk at the same time!

Because you'd like to see a little more of her:

CNN's Candy Crowley will moderate the second presidential debate next Tuesday. I'm guessing she, too, can walk and chew gum better than ol' Jim Lehrer.