The CNN GOP debate on Wednesday night was an evening of wasted opportunities - with some substantive exchanges - and a lot of important ground left uncovered - specifically on Iran, the Middle East peace talks, Pakistan, health care, education, energy, crime, to name just a few. Instead there was the same old questions asked of GOP candidates such as gays in the military and then time for a gay serviceman to get up and rail on about his experiences as a gay serviceman - something no other audience member was allowed to do. Clearly this was politically motivated by CNN - as well as the Confederate flag question which has been gone over again and again. There was also a question about the Bible that seemed belittling to the Bible and the candidates - one would have to think that person was an atheist trying to get a rise out of the candidates.
There were some exchanges on immigration, the Iraq war and torture - but much of the evening was tortured in its desire to entertain or strive to get the dials to light up with the focus groups. Perhaps it is time to retire this as it drives for crowd applause rather than substantive answers to complex issues.
We also could have lived without the opening song about the candidates and had more questions about the issues - that could have been played in the pre-debate shows and no doubt, could be easily on tap for download. It again made the proceedings less serious.
CNN had the chance to get into the issues, but let its biases get in the way with the amount of time devoted to the gays in the military issue, the Confederate flag and other entertainment activities. Anderson Cooper seemed to have zero ability to keep the candidates on course. Clearly the debates are being carried out for ratings appeal rather than to inform. Perhaps C-Span should be employed in the future to handle all future debates and to bring in citizens with real concerns and issues rather than those looking to make a splash on the YouTube circuit.
Comments