Experts with KGO Radio, University of San Francisco weigh in on Trump-Clinton debate fact-checking

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are set to engage in the first high-stakes presidential debate. One of the key issues that has emerged is the question of fact-checking. Clinton's camp wants it but Trump's people do not.

More than 100 million Americans are expected to tune in for a debate that may be unlike any other in a presidential campaign that has rewritten the playbook. And in this new environment, the role of the moderator is getting a fresh look. Is it simply to ask tough questions of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, or to also call them out on lies.

"Let the chips fall where they may," said KGO Radio political commentator John Rothman.

Rothman has worked for both political parties and says the moderator should not be the fact-checker, nor does he believe it would make a difference.

"People are going to look at what they look like, whether someone makes a mistake," he said. "Does Hillary cough, does Donald erupt? The winner or loser is not based on content. The winner or loser is based on perception."

But Keally McBride, a professor of politics at the University of San Francisco, thinks the facts do matter.

"If someone is going to stand up there and say blatant untruth after blatant untruth," she said. "And the network lets that stand for an hour and a half, then there's the concern that actually voters are getting misinformation by watching the presidential debates."

But she believes a fact checking moderator would interrupt the flow

"I think they'll just have to let it rest," said McBride.

Whatever happens on Monday night could result in future changes to the presidential debate format.