We've come to lower our expectations for real debates in the "debate" process, but this one was terrible.
Who picked the questions from the, we were told, six million sent in online plus the dozens from the people in the hall? The first half was fine but then why go into the same foreign policy questions raised two weeks ago -- knowing they were certain to draw the very same, almost word for word responses? After kicking off the debate by saying we were in the worst economic crisis in 80 years?
The transcript for the last half hour could have been typed up in advance.
Remember, this was supposed to be the "domestic policy" debate. Yet there we were once again talking about raids on Pakistan and defending Israel. Brokaw and the organizers let down the American public.
Brokaw kept complaining that the candidates were not staying within their time limits--and then did nothing to stop them beyond pleading with them to, maybe, keep an eye on the flashing lights, pretty please, huh?
And his "follow up" questions were weak.
I thought I'd never say this but -- maybe they should let the blogosphere handle the next one.
*
Greg Mitchell is editor of Editor & Publisher. His new book on Iraq and the media is "So Wrong for So Long."
Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Town Hall Debate from HuffPost bloggers
Our youth, particularly those who are college students or have recently graduated, have been pivotal in election process. Why no one thought to have a more youthful moderator for at least one debate is mind-boggling. If history is the prologue (thank you Joe Biden) for the next major election, we absolutely must choose better moderators.
Unlike your opinion. Who Cares?
His ego (and political bias) made him completely unsuited for a "townhall" format.
I was really looking forward to hearing REAL questions that people had, somewhat like the Internet ones from CNN's debate in the primary which were actually quite interesting.
Brokaw sucked the life out of the questions AND (with his continued "thanks" to McSame and rebukes to Obama) out of the "debate" (really, "exchange").
Terrible, terrible choice.
The blogosphere as a source could be good, but how do you vet which members speak? The suggestion smacks of populism or maybe even anarchy which seems to be an increasingly viable political guage these days - yesterday's focus groups have today's personal emotion dials, McCain's mob gets lots of play.
I thought Brokaw was condescending to Obama about time limits,without pointing to John Mc Cain's going over those limits. I find Brokaw an arrogant and full of self mportance that is unwarranted. The debate was a bust. McCain got away with alot of false statements and gestures to ingratiate himself with the audience,while turning his back on a black woman asking him a question.
And, the health care system is another disaster waiting to happen, especially with millions of baby boomers poised to retire in the next few years. The health system for everyone will be affected by this influx. You're not thinking ahead "my friend".
Oh, by the way, McCain is the one who famously said "I don't know very much about the economy," and has gone on to prove it unequivocally. His running mate knows even less than he does.
So, Obama's knowledge, having helped fashion economic policy and budgets for a major American city for 10 years and reviewed and helped pass budgets in the U.S. Senate for the last two, along with Biden's long-time experience in these endeavors
would be a much better choice for you this year.
(Sorry, I wasn't quite sure what the rest of it meant.)
As I watch the encouraged "mob mentality" of McCain/Palin's encitement tactics (when free of these constraints), I am reminded of Hitleresque speeches that gave way to crowds of angry Aryans ready to take out their frustrations on Jews, dissidents, homosexuals & basically anyone "different" from their own self-perceived perfection. We are seeing this fightening behavior now & we are seeing Palin & McCain pander to it.
When will the tables turn? If guilt by association is somehow an indication of one's personal character both Palin & McCain should be very, very afraid. SHE can't bring herself to mention the real name of her own religion (Pentecostalism) and HE has 26 years of countless associations that could plummet his lily white ass into hell & back again. All of which may very well backfire if opponents fire back with undeniable facts. At some point WE as a nation & a community need to STAND UP vs. GULP the crap being dumped on the American psyche.
You deserve the best the gov't can afford.
My spouse, whose debate expectations were admittedly low, still thought I was exaggerating a bit - that is until I said: "Yes or no: Is Russia evil?"
My DH then lowered his head into his hands with a deep sigh and said, "Tell me Brokaw didn't actually ask that question."
AND, immediately after Obama gave a great answer, Brokaw jump him with a question that he thought would stump Obama. the question was, hold your breath---
We know the "Bush Doctrine", but what is the "Obama Doctrine"?
Probably a good question for a debate on foreign affairs, but not one for a debate that was supposed to be about "Domestic Issues".
Sorry, Brokaw has killed his reputation as a journalist and has become nothing more than a hack pundit, with a political right-wing flavor.
He will NEVER be trusted by me or thousands like me ever again.
If this is what presidential or VP debates are going to look like in American from now on, no one is going to bother to watch them.
90 minutes of watered down intermitant campaign speeches is a waste of time.