And the Republican debate winner is... the British guy

11 November 2015

Tweet joking: "The moderators look like they're about to judge a TV talent show. They even threw in a random British guy! — Image caption,
Gerard Baker (left) is editor of the Wall Street Journal but tonight he was simply "the British guy"

By James Morgan

BBC News, Washington DC

The fourth Republican debate was supposed to be all about Trump v Carson, Bush v Rubio, and everyone v Hillary.

But in a surprising twist, the stand-out performer on the night according to the audience on Twitter wasn't even a candidate.

Step forward Gerard Baker, aka "the British guy", "the guy with no hair" or least flatteringly of all "Humpty Dumpty".

Here's how the Fox Business moderator, editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal, external, became both the hero and the villain of the pantomime.

Some observers enjoyed his smooth delivery:

Tweet reading: "The British guy with no hair is winning this, I think."

Tweet reading: "We should just let the British guy say everything. He makes everything sound nice and cordial."

Tweet reading: "I love that this British guy keeps saying 'governor' with his accent. If he would say 'cheerio governor!' my day would be made".

But others quickly grew suspicious of his provenance:

Google Trends shows the main questions asked during the debate were: "Where is Gerard Baker from?", "Who is Gerard Baker?", "Is Gerard Baker a US citizen?", "How old is Gerard Baker?" and "Is Gerard Baker British?"

So, who is Gerard Baker?

Oxford-educated economist and now editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal
Joined the Journal in 2009 and took charge in 2013
First Briton to moderate a US presidential debate.

The irony that immigration was a hot topic was not lost:

Tweet joking: "Surprised Donald Trump hasn't threatened to deport the British moderator yet."

Things turned worse as "the British guy" was outed as a baddie:

Tweet reading: Gerard Baker looks like the suspicious British crew member turned villain in every sci-fi movie every made".

Meme of Dr Evil from the Austin Powers films with the caption "One million dollars!" Tweet underneath reads: "When Gerard Butler asks $170 billion dollars I see..."

Tweet reading: "Carly Fiorina and this British moderator look like characters from a Lemony Snicket book."

He quickly lost his shine:

Tweet reading: "Can we replace this British guy with a different British guy, like Michael Caine or Ian McKellen?"

Tweet reading: "British guy is asking about American CEO pay. SOCIALISM!"

Then history reared its ugly head:

Tweet reading: "Is there a reason why a British guy is questioning our next President of the USA? I'm pretty sure we already won that war."

Tweet reading: "We didn't fight the Revolutionary War to have a British moderator tell American candidates when they can and can't talk."

Meme reading "I'm sorry. I thought this was America". Tweet underneath says "Who let this British guy moderate the debate?"

But in the end, the new world order was restored. American sarcasm prevailed:

Tweet from Joe Concha reading: "British moderator ignores let's-get-to-commercial-music. Asks question. Music fades. UK celebrates first win since the Falklands."

Picture of Gerard Baker alongside Humpty Dumpty. Tweet reads: "Gerard Baker looks like Humpty Dumpty".