Monday, October 01, 2007

These questions should ALL be asked at a debate

You have to wonder why questions like this aren't asked during debates? Is it because they're not sexy? Because there's an unwritten rule forbidding such questions?
I don't know, but I think that it's truly sad that they aren't asked these types of questions. A couple in particular that jumped out at me.

What federal crimes will you instruct the Justice Department to make a priority during your administration?

Name five things you think are none of the federal government's business.

Do you believe the U.S. military should be deployed for humanitarian missions?

Would you support a sunset provision requiring Congress to revisit and re-pass each law after five years?

Do think presidents should be term limited? What about members of Congress? If you didn't give the same answer to each question, what's the difference?

Do you think an atheist could be president? Do you think an atheist should be? Assuming you generally agreed with an atheist on more issues than the alternative candidates in a given election, would you vote for one?

These questions are almost entirely objective and not leading. Out of the context of the article, it is not clear what the "right" answer to these questions is and that present a perfect opportunity for candidates to distinguish themselves (and a greatly reduced opportunity to pander). Maybe somebody will read this and pass it along to someone who is actually in a position to get these questions to a moderator. Maybe not.