« Going To Hollywood | Main | Debate Live Twitter » Twittering Tonights' Debate31 Jan 2008 06:54 pm I'll be Twittering tonight's debate, and can follow along right here. Subjects that I hope Wolf Blitzer will ask about: (a) Bill Clinton's sketchy Kazakhstan uranium / donor deal...as reported by the New York Times and given a full story by the producers of NBC Nightly News. (b) Barack Obama's support for legalizing marijuana...or least reports that he once favored that position. (c) Obama's being labeled the most liberal senator by National Journal (d) HRC on South Carolina and Ted Kennedy Comments (14)
Gee, I was hoping he'd ask about, oh, I dunno, the war in Iraq, expanding health care access, the subprime mortgage crisis, the looming recession, and climate change. But yeah, I forgot about all those shiny bubbles. 
How about the Wal-Mart stuff? Especially with HRC's stuff about "If you want to know what kind of President someone will be, just look at their record." and, "I've been fighting for women, children, unions, etc. for 35 years."
As someone who will be voting on Super Tuesday, I could really care less about all of these gotcha questions. Question 1 - No one could possibly answer this question in any useful way within the context of a debate. This is why we have reporters who can call up campaigns, get responses and print them. Question 2 - Since there isn't a chance in hell that this is likely to pass Congress or that Obama as president would even think of proposing this, this is just a waste of time that detracts from real discussions of issues that would be affected by an Obama presidency. Question 3 - Again this seems more useful as a newspaper column than in a debate. In a newspaper column, you could actually see what votes were used in the ratings to see if you agreed or disagreed with the votes. In a debate, it just adds to sound bite politics. Question 4 - Again, how does this help voters understand the issues? This is just a horse race question. It would be helpful to voters to know things like differences in their positions on health care, Iraq, mortgage assistance, the economy, etc.
#3 is a very dumb question, but likely to be asked. I think Obama will bring up #1 if Wolf doesn't. #2: Obama allegedly came out in favor of decriminalization, which is different from legalization, and is the just position on the issue. #4 I don't get. I wonder, will they get a chance to talk about their vision/lack their of on foreign and domestic policies?
I want this: Lots of pundits say that you two are basically the same on policy issues, and that the difference boils down to personality and style. Do you agree? If not, what are your policy differences, and if so, what are the other differences and how do they work in your favor? Then I'd give ample time for responses, and that would be 90% of the debate.
Marijuana? Just because Obama's past vote is now in the news? That's a reporter's question; not something that most folks want to hear or something that will bring along the overall discussion. There will be plenty of tight situations regardless. http://www.political-buzz.com/
Marijuana? Just because Obama's past vote is now in the news? That's a reporter's question; not something that most folks want to hear or something that will bring along the overall discussion. There will be plenty of tight situations regardless. Liveblog... http://www.political-buzz.com/
Please yes ask about Kazakhstan and Bill Clinton. Because that will open up questions re: Obama and Rezko.
I do wish that reporters would understand that decriminalization and legalization are two very different things. To my knowledge Obama only favors decriminalization, which has actually been done in a number of states, rather than legalization, which hasn't been done anywhere except in libertopia.
Give me a break. Can we please start talking about things that matter as they relate to governing the country, and not just gotcha horserace crap?
This post has lowered my esteem for Marc Ambinder by about 9 decibels. It's only too bad that Tim Russert isn't hosting the debate, as all these truly important gotcha questions could have been asked!
I must agree whole-heartedly with Christopher M. These questions are waaaay beneath the dignity of a legitiment debate. Marc, you can do better than this. Phoebe:
Yeah I'm with Christopher M. too. All those gotcha questions do nothing but allow moderators to make news but don't have anything to do with what's going on in people's lives. C'mon Mark, you can do better.
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Obama's campaign came out with a response to the last one.
'Last week he was demonized as a Reaganite and this week he is the most liberal senator.'
I thought it kinda cute.
Posted by vwcat | January 31, 2008 7:07 PM