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?
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ABC Butchers the Debate
Posted Apr 18th 2008 12:49AM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Media, Young Turks, Barack Obama, Video
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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. ...
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Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 6)
61. Come on...get REAL! Neither of those PINHEAD candidates has any real solutions about real problems.
Now, Baby Barack is crying about "tough" questions the other night. But, fine when CNN debate hosts were slamming Hillary Clinton with questions about non-issues.
Irregardless, neither the socialist nor neo-socialist candidate will defeat John McCain, a real and experienced American hero!
Mike at 7:50PM on Apr 18th 2008
62. Patty, I do agree with you on Hillary! Yes, the media has been much harder on her than Obama...and it is pertially her fault, particularly sice she did state that she would be "ready to serve from day one." I think there is the perception that she feels entitled to the presidency. Would she do a good job? Probably, but I don't see that happening (her winning).I knew we could find common ground!
Anyway, have a great weekend! I'm off to Australia for 9 days. Sort of a business trip. Looking forward to it, although not the 14 hour plane ride in coach. Heck, I don't even wish that on the Captain, LOL!
April at 8:16PM on Apr 18th 2008
63. #50,mikie, stick it in librel commie A**!
steve england at 8:53PM on Apr 18th 2008
64. Oops, Mikie i ment liberal,My mistake. Have a nice day.
steve england at 8:56PM on Apr 18th 2008
65. Dear Cenk.
I respectfully disagree.
One is known by the company one keeps.
What do we know about Obama except what he has written or said about himself.
I recall in 2000 thinking Bush wouldnt be so bad - he certainly SOUNDED like a uniter not a divider. We knew nothing about him.
Obama is a baby politician and the "new" politics are either the product of youthful ignorance of how things work or a way to try to weasel out of being accountable for his associations - made, of course, to advance in Chicago/Illinois politics. He is as cynical as the next politician and not half as inspirational as Bobby Kennedy was. He has done NOTHING. No military service, no national govt service. Hillary did more community work before graduating college. The man is an empty suit, reflecting our dreams.
He HAS to be able to justify these things. Hillary has had to answer for her and Bill's associations and Obama should have to also - unless we are going to continue this Magic Black Man charade.
John McCain was on an aircraft carrier in his jet when another jet fired a rocket into him by accident. McCain popped his canopy and leapt off his plane (not a small hop) into a LAKE of FIRE. I am pretty sure Hillary could do that. I have no idea if Obama could. He probably doesnt know himself. If life were fair the photo of him bottle feeding a lamb would be up there with Dukakis in a tank, and, by the way, Obama is not a farmer, but Dukakis served in the Korean War.
He MUST be known as much as possible, and looking at his associations and why he makes them and the disturbing speed at which he tries to disown them is about the only data we have that doesnt come from his books or his speeches.
rmholt1 at 9:17PM on Apr 18th 2008
66. When will Democrats finally end their abusive relationship with the Clintons? They are like abused wives, always making excuses and trying to convince others, "yeah, but she really cares about me!" It's pathetic and explains why the party is such easy pickings for the GOP time after time. As a proud Independent, the ONLY real choice in this election is Sen. Obama. Even though the Jerry Springer crowd would love to make him about lapel pins and old, irrelevant gossip, Obama has given a clear vision for this country that all Americans should be proud to follow.
ClintonFatigue at 9:40PM on Apr 18th 2008
67. None of the candidates in either party have my vote. This election terrifies me because none of the candidates have what it takes to lead a nation. It's probably going to wreck our country in the end.
Bruce at 8:30PM on Apr 19th 2008
68. I love'd the debate. Finally, two guys that asked questions alot of us would like answers to. All Obama had to do was answer truthfully but he got so mad you could see it in his face. Hillary answered her questions with no problem but the Young Turk doesn't mention that. He's just furious cause his little obama got stumped. We needed answers to the questions asked and obviously Obama didn't have good answers...By the way the more I see of him the more he reminds me of that guy on the Mad magazine cover.
Mary Yate at 10:26PM on Apr 18th 2008
69. Cenk, what planet are you from? If Obama and Hillary can't handle a few tough questions they should have been asked MONTHS AGO, how are they going to stand up to mean old dictators from other countries on the world stage? I'll wager that dealing with North Korea is a bit tougher than standing up to burly he-men like George Stephanopolous.
Heath Griner at 11:12PM on Apr 18th 2008
70. Patty - I know you're the star of the night here, with lots of messages from various people, but two words for you: circular reasoning. You are using the Bush Administration's less than stellar reputation (in Democrat circles) as proof of certain misdeeds.
Dave at 11:54PM on Apr 18th 2008
71. Mary- You say Hillary answered her questions with no problem. The Bosnia bulls**t story she answered by saying she at least got it right in her book. That was an answer? Even so, Sen. Obama didn't attack or try to score points. I think it's kinda sad that after Kerry wimped out in 2004, that some Democrats flat out decided they needed a fighter to battle the GOP. And that's what Clinton has been. But she's just become a Republican in a dress. Attack, distract, lie. Attack some more and then deny. It must be hard to come to the realization that it's not your time and history demands someone else.
Heath- these questions about lapel pins, 'patriotism' and Rev. Wright have been asked and answered. You can accept the answer or no, but asking again and again won't change the answer. Questions about Ayers were topical because it was something most hadn't heard him respond to. I can't say it was all that important though.If you look at what Ayers has done with his life, it's not surprising that many prominent Chicagoans
associate with him.
You can find reasons to dislike every single person running for office. But of the three that are there, I'll go for the one offering something other than the same old thing. The same old thing has brought us to some of the worst times this country has seen, politically, economically, spiritually. We are disliked and mistrusted around the world, we've trashed our own Constitution, and while the poor get poorer, CEO's are walking with multi-million dollar paychecks. We're fighting a multi-trillion dollar war, but we want lower taxes.
Give me a break. Give me Obama.
Jon at 12:19AM on Apr 19th 2008
72. John - It has nothing to do with disliking Obama. The problem goes to the heart of his message: reconciliation. How can Obama bring everybody together if he attracts radicals who hate America, once tried to blow it up and think we're deserving of being attacked by Islamic Radicals because we're evil?
I know Ayers was just doing what "everybody else" was doing back in the 60's - firebombing government buildings. And how's that different than what Timothy McVeigh did? Now Obama's decided that we're starting to know too much about him so the debates are over. Nice.
Dave at 8:00AM on Apr 19th 2008
73. Right on to the comments about McCain. The righties would be having heart attacks if they ever had a moderater focus on McCain's anger issues and his infidelity. I can hear the whining, spitting and spewing now. But never mind McCain, can you imagine George and Charlie moderating a discussion with this Pope? "So your Highness, thanks for coming to the US and all that, since none of us Catholics really know you that well could you start by telling us all about your time in the SS when you were 18 and if you have ever had thoughts about fondling a young boy since you've been a Priest."
Donna at 2:03PM on Apr 19th 2008
74.
Hey April
Even if it is for business, it still sounds like lots of fun. Do not forget that this is there fall season, so maybe it is not too hot.
I personally hate to fly, this past August I went to Argentina, which was also a 14-hour flight. However, my wonderful fibromyalgia medication works wonders when it comes to sleeping.
Hope you have a safe trip and we will chat when you return to the States.
Patty at 12:33PM on Apr 19th 2008
75.
Dave,
I would then highly recommend you to stop making demonstrably false claims. When it comes to the Bush Administration your perception of his and that of the Administration is so skewed you cannot even accept the fact that these people have accomplish nothing without cronyism or lies.
Furthermore, whether my remarks are flamboyant or persistent they happened to be truthful. Moreover, if you would take the time to read a few of the books written since Bush took office you might just be enlighten. Before, you get back to me with a “liberal bias” nonsense I will just tell you know that many of these books have been written by men who are neither Democrats nor Liberals.
Furthermore, how long are you willing to continue ignoring the damage Bush has inflicted in our nation?
I realize you hate everything I post when it comes to this president and his administration, however, I will not apologize for stating facts you refuse to accept. How much longer will you hold on to your false perception of a man that does not deserve your respect?
Moreover, we must never forget or allow anyone to forget just how much this man has done to deteriorate our economy, our standing in the world, our unity as a nation and the deaths of over 4000 brave men and women who gave their all, over a lie.
Patty at 12:34PM on Apr 19th 2008