The problem with the CNBC debate wasn't that the moderators were biased against the candidates. That's a gimmie. In the first debate, Fox was biased against Trump, Cruz and Paul, and in the second CNN instigated a food fight hoping to take them all down in the interests of the Democratic Party. No, it was the choice of moderators that done in CNBC. The trio chosen simply weren't bright enough to pull it off. John Harwood had the pained facies of someone who walked into a kitchen where chitlins' and cabbage were cooking simultaneously. There was a bad smell in the air. Republicans probably. Clearly he didn't like any of the candidates but was too inept to be able to fake his disdain. Or perhaps just too arrogant to even try.

The long-haired glamor babe came off as one candle short in a two candle candelabra, and her Hispanic colleague, Carl Quintanilla, two candles short. If these are financial experts, it's no wonder the country is on the skids.

Unlike the Fox debate moderators whose purpose was to take down the anti-establishment candidates, ignore Huckabee, Carson and Christie, rescue Jeb Bush and keep Walker, Rubio and Kasich in the game if rescuing Jeb wasn't possible, like CNN, CNBC didn't discriminate. They wanted them all to lose so Hillary could benefit.

Setting the stage for what was to come, Carl Quintanilla (one suspects Jorge Ramos was otherwise engaged) started off the Inquisition by asking each candidate to tell their new pals CNBC what was his or her greatest weakness. One suspects he was hoping for a sound bite the Clinton campaign could use against whomever becomes the nominee. Most knew better than to answer such an obvious "gotcha", but Growltiger wishes one of them had replied:  "My greatest weakness is that I do not suffer fools gladly, so Mr. Quintanilla, Ms. Quick and Mr. Hardhead (sic), I apologize in advance because though I'm going to try my best to be polite tonight, I'm probably not going to be able to suffer you three gladly."

But since none of the candidates responded as Growltiger believes he or she should have, the Three Stooges went on with the kind of incisive questions one expects of financial experts. Mr. Harwood asked Donald Trump whether he was a comic book character. Governor Huckabee was asked if Donald Trump had the moral authority to be president, Governor Bush was asked why his poll numbers were tanking and whether he thought the government should regulate fantasy football. After bragging that he was 7-0 in fantasy football, the former governor agreed maybe the government should step in (since the government does everything so well). Ms. Fiorina butted in as usual grabbing more speaking time than anyone else, also as usual. Governor Kasich attacked the front runners. (Republicans always attack Republican opponents, but fold in the general election against a Democrat - see Mitt Romney in 2012  and John McCain in 2008).

Since one would expect financial issues to be Mr. Trump's wheelhouse, the Inquisitors pretty much ignored him while they concentrated on the neurosurgeon. Governor Bush, looking ever more desperate, small-eyed and weak, attacked Senator Rubio for missing Senate votes, but shriveled like a grape left out on a hot stone in Death Valley in mid July when Senator Rubio defended himself. (PAC-men politicians, like the little digital creature in the famous game eagerly gobble up others but never expect to be on the receiving end of the gobbling). This went on until finally, Senator Cruz had enough. In one masterful stroke, he exposed Moe, Larry and Shempiah as political operatives, invigorated the audience, and unloosed his fellow candidates*. The audience erupted in applause. Governor Christie pointed out that in a world with huge problems, domestic and foreign, CNBC is asking about fantasy football!!!! He went on to comment that any of the candidates on stage would be a better president than Hillary Clinton. Senator Rubio reminded anyone watching or listening that the Democrats had the ultimate Super Pac in the Mainstream Media. When the Three Stooges tried to trap Dr. Carson, the audience booed them soundly. Governor Huckabee refused to attack Mr. Trump.

CNBC lost the Tuesday night debate. But the voters lost, too. As with the Fox and CNN debates, voters didn't learn a lot about where the candidates stand on the issues, only that the moderators didn't like certain candidates (Fox) or all of the candidates (CNN and CNBC).

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*For those who didn't watch the debate, here is what Senator Cruz said: 

"You know, let me say something at the outset. The questions that have been asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don't trust the media. You look at the questions: 'Donald Trump, are you a comic-book villain?' 'Ben Carson, can you do math?' 'John Kasich, will you insult two people over here?' 'Marco Rubio, why don't you resign?' 'Jeb Bush, why have your numbers fallen?' How about talking about the substantive issues people care about?"