10/07/2008

Frustrated With The Presidential Debate

I'm very frustrated with tonight's Presidential Debate. I don't feel like I learned anything new. Both candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama, said the same things they've been saying for the past few weeks and even kept repeating what was said in the first debate! I think one of the reasons why the repetition was the questions that were asked. Questions that were hand-picked by moderator Tom Brokaw, who I think is left-wing pro-Obama supporter. I was hoping more of a debate on character rather than foreign policy and economy even though that's what is on everyone's mind right now.

Character, by far, in my opinion is far more important than any other issue. Character defines who we are, how we act, how we think, and what we'll do.

This was supposed to be a "town hall" debate. In a real town hall meeting questions aren't pre-screened by a moderator. Attendees can ask any question they want about any topic. Again none of the questions sparked any new information that I've already heard. The only question that I did like was the last one, "What don't you know and how will you learn it?"

Barack Obama didn't answer the question outright. He even said, "Here's what I do know..." Uh, Obama? The question was what DON'T you know. He then talked about the opportunities that was given to him that allowed him to be in the position that he is today. Obama then talked about if we are going to pass on that same American Dream to the next generation. Again he's not answering the question.

John McCain did a little better in answering the question. He said, "I think what I don't know is what all of us don't know. And that's what's going to happen both here at home and abroad. The challenges that we face are unprecedented." McCain then talked about those challenges. He continued, "What I don't know is what the unexpected will be." At least McCain answered the first part of the question, but failed to answer how he'll learn it. Obama didn't answer the question in whole.

This all ties in to why I'm frustrated. That last question would have given us a lot of information about the character of McCain vs. Obama. What is so difficult about answering a simple question. The answer to the question may have even not been related to politics or their campaign. "I've don't know how to sculpt pottery," John McCain may have said, "I would like to take a few classes on how to do such a thing, which will help me develop patience and performing tasks carefully and thoroughly because the slightest deviation could make a potential masterpiece to a piece of junk." THAT! to me would have given me more about McCain's character than anything else he's ever said. He then could've tied it into his campaign..."and as President I will have the patience and make each decision with thoroughness and exactness to make sure it's the best decision for this country. I will put this country first above anything else." But no...just the same old same old. Hopefully the last and final debate will be different.

4 comments:

Kristel said...

Yeah, I was pretty disappointed myself tonight. The only thing I learned is the McCain wants to give a double tax credit for each child (whoo hoo). I do think that Obama answered questions a little bit better overall though.

Barb said...

I too felt they evaded the questions as a whole, "my friends."

Bret R. Fuller said...

The format of the debate was the problem. If you want real answers and real substance, the candidates need more than 1 or 2 minutes to respond.

In fact, I doubt that you'd get anything "new" from the candidates unless you required them to talk for an extended period of time.

Would any TV audience sit through a 4 hour debate? Probably not, but that's probably how long a debate like last night's should last.

(Go Obama!) :)

BLADERUNNER said...

I want a referee, not a moderator, in a no-holds-bar, all-out-slugfest. Give 'em a topic of 15 minute rounds and let them go at it for awhile.

First round: Economy. Go!
Second round: Foreign Policy. Go!
Third round: National Security. Go!
Fourth round: Character. Go!

I'm surprised there weren't any questions on abortion, gun control, etc. Well, not that surprised - it all seemed a bit contrived to me. Maybe next debate we could have a conserverator, not a moderator, to balance things out, after Gwen Ifill and Tom Brokaw.

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