CNN/Youtube Debacle

The CNN/Youtube debates were almost comical and nothing close to serious, I thought. My first thought is, “when are these people going to answer the question?” John Edwards is clamoring around claiming that “the real question is…” Earth to John- The real question was the one asked by the person in the video, not the one you made up in your head. And seriously, Obama didn’t do so hot, either. That man opens his mouth and has a pleasant tone of voice. He’s not bad looking either. Because he uses the word “is” properly (as opposed to the Ebonics way of using the word “is”), people think he’s such a charismatic intellectual. But listen to the guy. He doesn’t say anything; he rambles on his talking points and contrasts himself from the current administration. Case in point: When the question by a Youtuber was asked about how to pull out of the war in Iraq NOW (because all the democrats say we should leave now), how do we do that, right now? How does it get done? A very legitimate question, in my opinion. Obama answered, “Well, let me start by saying I opposed this war from the start. The Bush administration…” And he NEVER answered the question. Not once. I was surprised that Hillary was able to give a couple definite answers. She got lucky and was able to answer based on her scripted responses.

The questions were chosen by CNN, I’ve heard that they were based on the diversity of the questions and creativity of people participating (you know, as if we were in first grade- our reward for being creative), rather than the most viewed on Youtube. Whatever- it’s their show, and I honestly thought they did a half way decent job. However, there were completely ridiculous and time wasting questions, such as, “Who was your favorite teacher and why?” WTF? Who the hell cares? (Oh, you and the CNN rep that chose your video. But that’s about it.) In case no one noticed, we’re in a war, our borders have yet to be secured, welfare is broken as is Social Security and Medicare, wages are too low, prices are too high, gas is soaring and our politicians earmark so many bills, they look like spoiled teenagers with access to their parents’ credit cards. Hello? Is there anybody out there? Favorite teacher? What?

The next dumbest feel-good and politically correct thing was to have these politicians “turn to your left and say something good about the person next to you.” What is this, second grade when we learn about paying compliments? Puh-Lease! As I stated above, border, war, healthcare, budget…Maybe these things truly aren’t that important to democrats as they say they are. I mean, I hate to generalize, but if you watched the body language of these candidates relax when such questions were asked, you’d think the same thing.

I do think the democrats were brave by attempting to face their constituents (although, not really, because CNN still chose the questions), because that is certainly more dangerous than FOX news. FOX after all will pull no punches but neither will the constituents. I can picture half these people puking in the toilet right before going on stage, praying someone else would get the tough questions. But it was edited so terribly, and I wouldn’t have considered it some free-style debate as what they posed it to be. I mean, how many questions could have been asked in place of “Who’s your favorite teacher?” I can think of a zillion. I can only imagine how many people are pissed that they were snubbed in favor of this politically correct question. How many do you think Hillary would have been asked about keeping her husband at bay while she’s in office? Which are legitimate questions as well.

I would have LOVED to see the real questions that are on people’s minds. I have compiled a list of questions that are on everyone’s minds these days- which I have yet to hear any one of them answer:

1.Nevermind the Bush administration, what is your real plan for Iraq? (no talking points. We want to hear an actual plan of action.)

2. What are you going to do to fix our border?

3. What are you going to do to fix immigration without attempting to pass legislation that you know the people won’t go for, such as the Amnesty Bill?

4. Are you going to work on Social Security? (because everyone my age knows it won’t be there for us when we’re ready for it)

5. What’s the plan for energy independence? (again, forget what the Bush administration is/has done. He’s out in a year and a half, I want to know what YOU are going to do.)

6. Why are earmarks necessary? Will you practice earmarking bills? What bills have you previously earmarked? Do you think that sponsors of earmarked bills should be made public and give explanation for these earmarks? Are you opposed to line item veto, if so, why?

7. What will you do to curb spending and increase fiscal responsibility? Will you adhere to a tax-and-spend policy? Why is it necessary to have millions of pet programs that get federal funding when most people who pay for them never see the benefits?

8. What will you do to keep us safe? What is your plan to see that Americans don’t have to worry about terrorism in the United States again?

9. What will you do to keep real education such as math, science and reading in the classrooms and political propaganda such as biased holiday parties, sexual agenda, etc. out? Do you feel a need to keep political propaganda out of the classrooms?

10. What is the difference between you and your opponent and why are you better qualified? (This IS a debate, after all. Not a simple discussion.)

I bet you we never hear them answer these. I’ll be submitting questions for the Republican debate, regarding border security and legal immigrants. Maybe I’ll be chosen! But if I don’t get picked because they want to have a video asking candidates’ favorite color, I’ll swear off CNN forever.