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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

A shameful debate

In perhaps the most embarrassing performance by the media in a major presidential debate, ABC News hosts Charles Gibson and George Stephanopolous focused mainly on trivial issues as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in Philadephia.

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the health care and mortgage crises, the overall state of the economy and dozens of other pressing issues had to wait for their few moments in the sun as Obama was pressed to explain his recent "bitter" gaffe and relationship with Rev. Wright (seemingly a dead issue)and not wearing a flag pin, while Clinton had to answer again for her Bosnia trip exaggerations. Then it was back to Obama to defend his slim association with a former '60s radical -- a question that came out of rightwing talk radio and Sean Hannity on TV, but delivered by former Bill Clinton aide Stephanopolous. This approach led to a claim that Clinton's husband pardoned two other '60s radicals. And so on.

More time was spent on all of this than segments on getting out of Iraq and keeping people from losing their homes. Yet neither candidate had the courage to ask the moderators to turn to those far more important issues.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Charlie was sure upset his taxes might be raised. The league of women voters left back in the 80's because of crap like this...
Were those boo's at the end?

Unknown said...

God bless you Greg. I'm so glad you came right out and said it, but what will come of it. As I've been complaining for years, who cares? Who will hold these people accountable for a worthless, pathetic debate. Where the hell is the uproar against the media, by the media. The people have shown that we don't care about this bullshit, yet it is still covered and focused on all the time.

If the will of the people is ignored, then shouldn't the respectable members of the media speak up and force their colleagues, in fact shame their colleagues into doing better.

Fine, here we go again. Another useless debate. So now what? Why should we have expected any different?

Anonymous said...

I haven't even found a good joke candidate to vote for this year. Any suggestions?

Anonymous said...

I disagree that none of the candidates tried to tell the moderators about their trite statements..Barack Obama did many times but those so-called journalist completely ignored his attempts and continued their sleezy tabloid type questions..it was shameful and disgusting and Charlie Gibson should be ashamed. I guess George can say his debt is paid for turning on the Clintons when Bill couldn't keep his zipper zipped..