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I didn't watch the debate tonight on ABC and it turns out that wasn't a bad choice at all...
From Daily Kos...
From Andrew Sullivan...It took 52 minutes to get to a question about Iraq. Took 64 minutes to the economy, and then in John McCain's terms.
These are the top two issues cited in poll after poll, but ABC doesn't think they're important enough to ask the presidential candidates on, or will let a Republican frame the debate. It's flat shameful.
8.33 pm. So far, neither Gibson nor Stephanopoulos have asked a single policy-related question. They seem utterly uninterested in foreign or domestic policy. After the past eight years, we have had half an hour with nothing but process questions. Gibson and Stephanopoulos are clearly part of the problem in this election and part of what has to be reformed.From Open Left...8.40 pm. Now, it's flag-pins! I'm just pointing out that we are now almost halfway through this debate and ABC News has not asked a single policy question. It's pure Rove, sustained and hyped and sustained by Stephanopoulos and Gibson. It's what they know; it's easy; and it will generate ratings. It is not journalism.
8.44 pm. Ambers: "Even Clinton advisers can't believe that ABC asked about wearing the flag on his lapel."
I have to say I am actually shocked at the appallingly poor quality of the questions: the worst of the campaign so far. Pure MSM process bullshit. Again: it's now halfway through and there has not been a single question on the economy, foreign policy, healthcare, terrorism, Iraq or any other actual policy issue in this campaign. How much longer can ABC News avoid the actual policy issues in this election?
Halfway through the debate, not a single question on any policy issue had been asked, it was obvious that this debate was prime-time hit job on Obama. The questions so far have been why he doesn't wear a flag pin, whether or not his pastor loves America, why he can't win, and how many people were offended by his bittergate comments. Except for Clinton being asked about why she wasn't trustworthy, and both of them being asked about their vice-presidential choices, that has been the entire debate.
As Master Jack said in the comments, nothing on Iraq, nothing on the economy, nothing on health care, nothing on housing, nothing on global warming, nothing on torture. This is nothing but a prime-time hit job on Democrats, although mainly a hit job on Obama.
4 comments:
The rest of the primary season will have nothing to do with policy. The policy positions of the candidates were all set in stone three months ago and anyone who cares already knows what they are. There is no reason to ask questions about policy at this stage.
The sad fact is the nomination fight is about personality and who can stay afloat in the shark tank.
The title "ABC Debate Sucks" is an understatment. I think with this nomination process being as important as it is it was shameful to watch ABC waste our time with news headlines and not issues. Nothing was gained in the debate. Real issues where thrown in the end as a by the way. ABC should really be embarassed by the whole production. I'm sure SNL have all the material they need for their next episode.
I think that candidates SHOULD be questioned, but why not ask relevant questions. Maybe major networks shouldn't host debates, they clearly only care about "reality-tv-show-like" drama, to boost their precious ratings, to get more ad sales, to sell us more crap we don't need. I say question Hillary, question McCain, and question Obama. In a time of war, economic crises, poor health care and global climate change, focus on relevant questions that will help the American public choose who is going to lead us out of this mess. I'm throwing out my TV. You guys are horrendous. Two thumbs down to ABC. Two thumbs down for business as usual to sell more ad space. You have a duty to inform. If you can't do that, step aside and let the internet take over. Save your mindless dribble for the Jerry Springer crowd. ABC, Stay away from anything of importance, you've proven quite incapable.
Jerry Springer should have hosted the debate and would have gotten a better rating for ABC.
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