… Traditional reporters and analysts want to be neutral, detached observers who deliver information about the political process without participating in it. But in the context of a primary debate, true neutrality and total detachment are basically impossible.
In a primary debate, there’s no higher authority or judge who will appear at the end of the night, declare a winner and point out the moment or line that clinched victory for a particular candidate. Instead, journalists are forced to make their own determinations about who performed well, which moments mattered and what sections of the debate will be used for B-roll. CONT.
David Byler, Washington Post