The Democratic debate on ABC last night was terrible. They went 52 minutes before asking one question about the issues. The moderators did the Republicans' work for them by distracting voters with what people said rather than what they have done. They focused on what Obama, his pastor and his neighbor (literally) have said in the past as opposed to what Obama plans to do for the country.
The Republicans have driven this country into the ground economically, nearly destroyed our standing in the world and literally caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq in a war that the Pentagon's premier military educational institute just concluded was "a major debacle." Meanwhile, ABC anchors are worried about what Obama is wearing and what someone he knows said at some point in their lives. This is insanity. And it has to change.
I wrote about the politics of distraction here. The Republicans do this every four years and the media falls for it every four years. And in the video below I can't contain my anger at how badly they botched this debate. The reason I'm so angry is because this is so important. We're not selecting the next American Idol. The president makes life and death decisions on a daily basis. Will they for the love of God ask questions that help us to figure out who is going to make the correct decisions and have the right policies?
Watch More TYT Here
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
Mo's Blog Roll
Resources
ABC Butchers the Debate
Posted Apr 18th 2008 12:49AM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Media, Young Turks, Barack Obama, Video
Mo's Video
The Sound of a Smoke-Free Barack...Almost two years ago we speculated on how Barack Obama's voice would change if he stopped smoking. ...
Most Popular Stories
- Don't Like Goodbyes...
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Is it Time to get some Cheerleaders?
- How NOT to give an Oscar Acceptance Speech
- Could Jim Belushi Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
- Spring Break Sexy T-Shirt Removal Training!
- Quest for the Crown 5: Plastic Wrap to Make you Less Fat!
- Quest for the Crown 4: Work Those Heels!
Most Commented On
-
Coming Soon
Recent Comments
- Saint Brian the Godless on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Roert Dean on General Clark is Absolutely Right!
- andreawalker419 on Breastfeeding an Eight-Year-Old?
- not-pboyfloyd on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Ryan Anderson on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Botts on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- not-pboyfloyd on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
Mo's Bio
Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
Top News Headlines
Political Machine Blog
- Meat for Public Schools Often Rejected by Fast Food Chains
- Salahis Subpoenaed To Appear Before Panel Probing Party Crashing
- Will George Stephanopoulos Go Better With My Omelet?
- $1 Billion Spent on Political Ads in '09
- In a Political Popularity Contest, Hillary Clinton Wins
- Tiger Woods' Transgressions and the Gender Split
- Jimmy Carter's Grandson Runs for Office in Georgia
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 6)
16. Two losers. Let us blame the media or better yet the republicans for a lousy debate. Heck, I think it was G.W.'s fault. Dumbocrats love this s**t. Nothing about the left has changed. You will be losers again. Thank Goodness cenk you need to go away.
JIM at 8:54AM on Apr 18th 2008
17. Lets face it, the national media has become a joke and a voice for corporate America. They have become the major threat to our democracy.
gshort3011 at 8:54AM on Apr 18th 2008
18. The debate was won by Hillary. Obama is weak and there is even more dirt that the Repubicans can use on him.Hillary is professional, has a plan and she goes with real tenancity to achieve goals that benefit the people. Her entire life has been dedicated to a political career. She is tough and used to be attack by the Repubicans. Obama is a joke.
How did we wind up with that guy in the Senate? Dirty money from the hate filled Trinity Church, guys like the terrorist Undergrown, slum lord on trial Resko..the list goes on and one. He is just another typical African American Politician from Chicago, and below his phoeny facade of lies and deceits is the elitist that have no use for any of us. Hillary/Edwards 08
Sally at 9:06AM on Apr 18th 2008
19. The media did not butchered the debate, we all know what Hillary will achieve and what her goals are while Barack is nothing but an empty arrogant suit.
It was good that he got those questions. It shows his weakness. Hillary was very gracious that he can win, Oh please! He does not stand a chance unless we aare suicidal.NO the press did a GREAT job. Is about time that Obama's free pass comes to an end.
As to HOWARD DEAN he is no the right person to head the Democratic Party. He was backed by Moveon.Org so leftist that is not what our party is about,so now they are backing Obama.They deserve each others. But please do not blame the press, they did a good job about exposing BarackOsma Obama
Sally at 9:14AM on Apr 18th 2008
20. I'm tired of the harping about the debate. It was the 20th or 21st (I forget, and I've seen them all). What was left to say?
The two candidates are only a smidgen (hair's width?) apart on most issues--with Hillary the most progressive. (But most people aren't paying attention, so what good would more substantive questions have been?) Given that, as one commentator said, you can tell a lot about a candidate by how he/she responds to questions like those asked Wednesday.
And let's face it, the other side is going to be a lot worse in the fall.
I'd rather most of this "fluff" come out now than in late October or early November, when it could be really damaging.
Vj at 10:04AM on Apr 18th 2008
21. It must be discrimination to ask Obama questions that are uncomfortable/unscripted, that he has YET to answer!
JAMBUTLER at 10:13AM on Apr 18th 2008
22. HILLARY HAS ONCE AGAIN PROVEN SHE CAN TAKE IT AND GIVE IT RIGHT BACK, YOUR OBAMA IS A ANGRY, MAN, AND what he seems to do very well is cry foul when ever he needs to answer things about his past, i mean the ones that would affect how he would run our country. all he says is foul foul give me time on tv, the radio to tell you people im not being treated fair , those things were then , not now you are now what you were then, and this being the first time his wife is proud to be a american. really they didn't have to answer that one either. well isee america was good enough to use the tax payers money to get him though school. im just guessing they just like the color green. for me this man should never become president tillthey both show all americans this is the country to which they both would give there loyalty to.
Dolores Ferrer at 10:41AM on Apr 18th 2008
23. I guess the nature of a candidate's character and whether or not a candidate may be hiding or obfuscating his or her real attitudes or beliefs is an irrelevat distraction. I suppose that is in the eyes of the beholder. I am a registered Democrat but I am interested in what these candidates really believe and think that it is a legitimate area of inquiry. Your analysis over time on all of these matters is juvenile and blindly partisan. I think both parties share in whatever economic problems we now face. I think both parties have not always had the country's best interests in mind when implementing policies. I didn't hear anything from either candidate that makes me believe that they would do much better.
Eric at 10:47AM on Apr 18th 2008
24. Get a load of Barak whinning about ABC's handling of the debate. Does this guy believe the world is going to wet-nurse him along if he makes it to the White House?
If Obama wet his pants because of ABC questions, what the heck does he think the Chinese, Russians, Iranians and North Koreans have instore for him?
And the Europeans most likely won't even waste their time having one of their head of state talk to him. What a cry baby.
Gatorblu at 10:46AM on Apr 18th 2008
25. I thought the questions the ABC moderators asked were very relevant. I was dismayed with the number of times Obama evaded. His 'gaffes' are serious, serious issues - particularly his hatred of America.
Helen at 10:47AM on Apr 18th 2008
26. I'm shocked! The Obama-leg-humping Stank is furious about the debate and is blaming the Republicans, ABC, The Pope, Paris Hilton, anyone but the candidates themselves who reminded the faithful dems of the following:
-Both candidates are identical on the issues.
-Pitch them anything but softballs and they fall apart.
-Both are woefully unprepared and unqualified for the office.
I actually feel sorry for the likes of Stank-it can't feel good to be suckered...
BirdmanJones at 11:06AM on Apr 18th 2008
27. This whole Dem campaign has been more entertaining than a barrel of monkeys.Who wants to hear about boring politcal stuff like empty promises and lofty aspirations? This in-fighting and daily revelations of new gaffes or past misdeeds of the candidates can match any soap opera. And it always promises ----to be continued. You are wrong to think that people do not want to get a handle on these issues clouding both Dem Candidates.We have already heard their bullshit about what miracles they will perform if elected. This campaign has gone on just long enough for the Dems to be hoisted by thier own petards.So please quit trying to elevate your clown(Obama ) that you support at the expense of our entertainment and at the peril of censoring journalists.Take a long walk on a short pier Cenk.
audrey hobbs at 11:13AM on Apr 18th 2008
28. I fail to see how people are viewing many media critiques claiming the opening questioning was useless to Senator Obama himself complaining that they are picking on him. I've yet to hear him complain about the debate. Where does this translate from people posting online that they thought ABC's questions and Hillary's attempted slander were unprofessional, to Obama whining about his mistreatment. PLEASE? Quote him. Please. QUOTE. HIM. I want to see what he said and I want it from a credible source. I'm sick of hearsay and speculation being posted as damn facts.
Strados at 11:13AM on Apr 18th 2008
29. It seems to me as though this year's election is not about the people--the voting public. Rather it is about biased media attempting to promote their own agenda. There are major issues facing this country as a whole--the war, the floundering economy, the housing crisis, health care, education, the list is unending. However, both Gibson and Stephanopoulos chose to ignore such issues and instead focus on trivial matters.
In doing this, the moderators (if one could even call them that) are diverting voters' attentions from what actually matters in an election. Personally, I really don't care what someone's pastor said. What matters is whether or not Obama believed Wright's comments were true and if Obama acted on those comments. I also really don't care if Clinton embellished her Bosnia story. Neither of these "issues" is going to have any influence on my vote, despite how hard the media tries to make me believe they really matter.
What ever happened to elections being decided by the people? By having these clowns moderate a debate before such a huge primary, we are, in a sense, allowing them to decide for us. This is not democracy. The CNN/YouTube debates of last fall were an excellent example of voters becoming involved in the political process. It was refreshing to see people, who care about the real issues, ask questions of the candidates. We need more of these types of debates.
The President of the United States is representative of all Americans, not just those in the media. It is time we step up and demand our votes and our voices be returned to us. Now, more than ever, we as a society need to decide for ourselves who best represents us and our country. Don't let the media do it for yo.
wmb0124 at 11:15AM on Apr 18th 2008
30. I don't think it matters much, particularly at this stage, who won the debate. The candidates just have to avoid any gaffes and they should be okay. I haven't heard of any with the possible exception of Clinton conceding that Obama could beat McCain in the general election. This ofcourse undercuts her argument for electability. Anyway elections aren't generally won on debates, but with the paid advertising campaing. I believe Obama is currently outspending Clinton 3:1. Obama may not win Pennsylvania but it won't be the blow out Clinton needs to justify going forward!
terry at 11:14AM on Apr 18th 2008