David Brooks Praises ABC Debate: "The Questions Were Excellent"

Three quick points on the Democratic debate tonight:

First, Democrats, and especially Obama supporters, are going to jump all over ABC for the choice of topics: too many gaffe questions, not enough policy questions.

I understand the complaints, but I thought the questions were excellent. The journalist's job is to make politicians uncomfortable, to explore evasions, contradictions and vulnerabilities. Almost every question tonight did that. The candidates each looked foolish at times, but that's their own fault.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[BillyCioffi]

I once saw Brooks as a decent fuddy duddy but someone has described him as a TWIT and in the last few years he has become just that he sounds and writes like a boob.

[intuition]

David Brooks cannot help himself, he is unconscious for he is listening to the voices in his head, thinks that is who he is, making him incapable of seeing that which is real -- that -- or he was paid BIG bucks to make such a stupid statement.

[gypsy508]

I like Brooks. He's a decent bloke but always been a bit naive. This country has a lot of problems that none of the candidates are discussing and none of the rich question-askers are even in touch with.

[aesova]

I've compiled a list of the topic of each question, in chronological order:

Obama, "Bitter/Cling" Remarks by
Obama, Clinton
Obama, Electibility of
Clinton
Clinton, Electibility of
Obama, Clinton
Wright, Obama Rescinding Invitation to
Obama
Wright, Sermons by
Obama
Wright, Obama Disassociation from Remarks by
Obama
Wright, Church Disassociation from Remarks by
Clinton, Obama
Wright, Obama Rescinding Invitation to
Obama
Wright, "Love for America" compared to Obama;
Wright, Obama's handling of issue if nominated
Obama
Wright, Obama Disowning of
Obama
Wright, Patriotism compared to Obama
Obama
Clinton, Bosnia Misrepresentation
Clinton
Clinton, Truthfulness about Past
Obama
Obama, Wearing/Not of Flag Pin
Obama
Obama, Relationship to Ayers/Weather Underground
Obama, Clinton, Obama
Iraq, Troop Withdrawl from
Clinton, Obama
Iran, Hypothetical Attack on Israel
Obama, Clinton
Taxes, Middle Class Increases/Rollback of Bush Cuts
Clinton, Obama
Taxes, Capital Gains Tax
Obama, Clinton, Obama, Clinton, Obama, Clinton
Guns, Registration of
Clinton
Guns, DC Prohibitions of
Obama
Guns, Registration/Licensing of;
Obama, Questionnaire/Handgun Ban
Obama
Guns, DC Prohibitions of
Clinton
Guns, DC Prohibition and 2nd Amendment
Clinton
Affirmative Action
Obama
Affirmative Action, for Wealthy
Obama
Affirmative Action
Clinton
Gas Prices
Clinton
Dependence on Foreign Oil
Obama
Bush, use of in new Administration
Clinton, Obama
Electibility
Clinton, Obama

[byrdlegs]

Imagine that, the questions were excellent. Now crack cocaine has invaded our middle aged journalists. Brooksie belong in the category of Charlie and Georgie. This was the worst hosted debates in my 45 yrs. as a news & political junkie. Good riddins' ABC, I'd rather watch the "False News Network" (FOX) than to ever tune in your news station again

[Boulderperson]

Brooks is the Fredo of the NY Times. Your choice, from the Bush Admin or the Godfather.

[zull2]

The problem with Brooks's viewpoint is simple...people are so inundated with these same questions and answers from both politicians plastered over and over on the screen that they are sick of them. They really DO want more insight into the direction these candidates are going. They want to hear if they really mean what they say on their website or during their stump speeches. They want to see if these politicians are just pandering to them, or if they're serious. They couldn't care less about tabloid debates like ABC's was because the questions have been asked over and over and answered over and over. Why bring up Wright AGAIN when Obama's answered the question many times in the last month? Why bring up the Bosnia story when Clinton's answered that question as many times? It's because ABC thinks that by asking tabloid questions, they can up their viewership, get more people talking about it like this. In doing so, they do a tremendous disservice to the people of this country who just want answers.

If you really want to stand up against this crap, then stop watching ABC. Boycott them and their sponsors.

[gevan]

If they ask Obama about some theoretical connection with the Weather Underground will they ask McCain about his collaboration with the North VietNamese?

[ibsteve2u]

"The journalist's job is to make politicians uncomfortable, to explore evasions, contradictions and vulnerabilities."

I much prefer journalists who will help me determine what good the politicians in question will do for America. I restrict my consumption of tabloid journalism - such as that demonstrated by ABC's moderators - to my sojourns in the grocery store checkout line.

[tililek]

Mr. Brooks is easily pleased by trivia. Why?

[tISHA]

Finally a media outlet that doesn't pander to one candidate over the other. Too often Obama has avoided the hard questions. Also this debate was on regular not cable so many more were able to watch it. Some people don't have cable access, too expensive. The questions were fair. All the topics have came up. And will come up in a much larger way IF Obama would get the nomination thank for ABC for they coverage of the debate. I just hope this will lead to more balanced reporting in all media outlets.