Jim Lehrer anticipates 'smears' ahead of moderating debate

Former anchor of PBS NewsHourJim Lehrer will moderate the first presidential debate tomorrow night. At 78 years old, he's refereed just under a dozen debates and the New York Times has a look at how pumped he is for it:

[Lehrer] has been seething. He said he was outraged by suggestions that he was a “safe” and uninspired choice to moderate the first of four debates. And he is offended by reports that questioned whether this — his 12th presidential debate — might be one too many.

“It’s a rough, rough world — I know that,” Mr. Lehrer said recently, his voice rising in exasperation. “And those of us who have decided to play in that world have to play by those rules. I’m susceptible to the same smears as anyone else.”

He's ready.

[New York Times]