If icky Chris is a registered Democrat, and an obvious Trump hater, why wouldn’t they put a Republican in as a co-moderator? Wouldn’t this be the only way to have a solid and fair debate?

I disagree. He is being paid or blackmailed. If he is smart enough to have the job he has, he is smart enough to know the Left is bad for the country. In this case, unfortunately, he is choosing what’s best for him (money) over what’s best for everyone.