CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is among the
four journalists announced Friday as moderators of the upcoming
presidential debates.
The announcement, made by the
Commission on Presidential Debates, makes Cooper the first openly gay
man to host a presidential debate in the general election.
The first debate, to be held on Monday,
September 26, will be hosted by Lester Holt of NBC Nightly News.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will
square off in a second debate to be held on Sunday, October 9. This
town hall-format debate will be moderated by ABC News' Martha Raddatz
and Cooper.
Fox News' Chris Wallace will host a
third and final debate on Wednesday, October 19.
“These journalists bring extensive
experience to the job of moderating, and understand the importance of
using expanded time periods effectively,” the commission said in
making its announcement. “We are grateful for their willingness to
moderate, and confident that the public will learn more about the
candidates and the issues as a result.”
Other out journalists, including
Cooper, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and CNN's Don Lemon, hosted debates
during the primaries.
CBS News' Elaine Quijano will moderate
a vice-presidential debate between Virginia Senator Tim Kaine and
Indiana Governor Mike Pence on Tuesday, October 4.