Another debate, another debacle
-By Mike Moore-
Another debate and another Obama victory. At least that’s what we’re being told by nearly every media outlet across the country today.
It’s getting old, archaic, actually, as to how the predictable cycle of American politics continues to turn in a country where journalism continues to fail us. There is no legitimate way to declare a victor in these meetings, there is however, ways to alter opinions.
If you stayed up for the debate (or stayed awake during it) the greatest injustice done has nothing to do with who won or lost, but instead, it has everything to do with the person “chosen” to moderate it.
Tom Brokaw, who as recently as Sunday could be seen slamming Sarah Palin, joked Tuesday night about controlling the times of answers, “being hired help,” and trying to keep things fair. The problem is, fairness never made an entrance to the town-hall style debate, thanks in large part to the many asinine questions Brokaw selected to be asked.
Protecting Obama anyone?
Polls throughout the country have suggested Americans are (somehow) much more favorable to Obama on topics such as foreign policy and the economy. So, predictably, most of the questions Brokaw selected had to do with, you guessed it, foreign policy and the current state of our economy.
As I sat watching, applauding McCain for the punches he was throwing, the “that one” comments he was making, I couldn’t help but wonder where other questions this country deserves answers to were.
Are you going to try and tell me nobody, not one single person in all the emails and in the audience, wanted to know about the candidate’s stances on abortion, gun control, immigration, Supreme Court appointees, ACORN, or, just maybe, William Ayers?
Of course they did and of course those questions were submitted, they just were never asked, and for good reason. Brokaw was Obama’s biggest shield of defense.
Do you think Obama wants to talk about his abortion beliefs, more specifically his belief when an abortion goes wrong (an interesting phrase) and the fetus survives. He supports no medical care for a living baby, claiming helping the baby live would be a burden to the mother.
“Look,” Obama said recently, “I’ve got two daughters, nine years old and six years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
Or how about immigration, a McCain strength, or gun control, a basic right in our constitution Obama opposes, or ACORN, a democratic-favored group that Tuesday morning had an Las Vegas office raided due to faulty voting registration.
Or, maybe, just maybe, a question or two about Ayers, a terrorist who bombed the pentagon and hosted Obama when the Illinois senator kicked off his political career.
None of it was asked, all of it was by design.
Those who know me best already understand my political views and who I believe is best for this job and best for this country. Those who don’t know me that well have probably figured it out by now.
My hope, however, is those who are undecided as to where their vote will go, will not be swayed or tricked by the liberal media and the liberal handling of these debates. I can only plead that you don’t tune into CNN following the debate to watch James Carville talk about riots if McCain were to win.
I’m not ignorant, and I understand the right has its Fox’s, its Hannity’s and LimBaugh’s. But neither Hannity, nor Limbaugh, or any conservative for that matter, will ever have a hand in these debates, ever have a chance to protect their candidate.
As the final month of this race winds down, it’s our responsibility (like heath care) as Americans, to not only listen, but truly hear what the candidates are saying. Research their views and records on certain issues, avoid being swayed on how things are portrayed, but instead focus on what will benefit our democratic nation. A nation, as we were once told, operates with a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Mike Moore can be reached at mjm12@albion.edu
