Home » Categories » U.S. News » Campaign Trail » The Presidential Debates: Who Are They For? And Who Do They Benefit?

Posted Friday, December 14, 2007
View All Blog Posts submitted by Alf Gordon

I'm hoping somebody can answer the questions.  And here's why I ask.

 

First, the latest debates in Iowa were held during the day.  I don't know about you, but as a gainfully employed American citizen, I work during the times the debates were broadcast.  I seriously doubt my bosses will pay for me to take time off so I can watch a television show, even if it is political in nature.  It makes me wonder if the candidates, or the media, believe that most Americans are home during the daytime.  Are their figures of unemployment that skewed?  Or did they simply go for the cheapest time slot they could get?

 

Second, the only way I'm able to find out what took place in the debates is to catch the dismal little sound bites on the news, or hunt down stuff on the Internet, or listen to talk radio to hear a discussion of what took place.  Thank God for YouTube, because if it weren't for them I wouldn't know what little bit I do know about the candidates and their stand on the issues.  I just wish it didn't take so long to hunt down and play all those clips.  And while I appreciate talk radio, I'd really like to hear what the candidates themselves have to say, instead of hearing people tell me what they think the candidates said.

 

Third, I want to know how the candidates from both parties stand on the issues that concern most Americans, like the war in Iraq and the illegal immigration situation...wait a minute, what do you mean the candidates won't be allowed to discuss those topics?  Who decided that?  Did somebody think that Americans don't care about issues like this?  Maybe the candidates themselves opted to go that way, but I doubt it.  Some little powermongering newspaper editor was given the Wand of Moderatorship and decided to show the free world the kind of power she could wield.  I'll bet that whoever wins the Presidency doesn't invite her to be on the White House press staff.  Unless they have something they want to cover up.

 

Finally, I'd like to hear something from the candidates about their qualifications for the job, and why they think they're the right man (or woman--sorry, Ms. Clinton) for the job.  Tell me what it is about you that will make you the best President.  Don't tell me what your competition does that will make them the worst President.  This is a job interview.  Believe me, if I went in to an interview and told the potential employer nothing about myself, but gave dirt on all the other job candidates, I wouldn't get the job.  In my experience, when all people can do is put down the competition, it's a good indicator that they don't have much to offer.

 

A word of warning to all the Presidential hopefuls.  Word is on the streets that people don't have a candidate they feel they can really get behind and support.  When the time comes to vote, folks will be voting, not for the best candidate, but against the worst.  Do you want your legacy to be that you won the Presidency because those who voted for you were actually voting against everybody else?  Or is that good enough for you, just to win?  If that's all you want, let me know now, so I can be sure not to vote for you.  On the other hand, you could surprise the crap out of all of us and start telling us about yourself, and your beliefs, and your convictions, and what you intend to do to make the United States and its people the best country in the world.  Is that too much to hope for?  Based on what we're seeing so far in these debates, I'm afraid the answer is yes.