In the most recent CNN/YouTube debate among GOP candidates, 24-year-old Joseph Dearing of Dallas asked the candidates:
"Do you believe every word of the Bible?"
And then, according to yesterday's DMN article, Mr. Dearing was disappointed in all the candidates' answers, which he felt skirted what he was driving at (though I'm still not sure what answer he was looking for — the DMN reporter, frustratingly, either didn't ask Mr. Dearing what answer he was looking for and what his motivation for asking the question, or asked and didn't print his response.) I gather, however, that he was looking for a simple "yes."
Anyway, it was an interesting if overly simplistic question that has spurred plenty of comments and debate on CNN's political ticker blog. Click on the link and you'll also get a glimpse of Dearing.
The whole thing was a crock. Polling consistently says that Iraq, the economy, terrorism and healthcare are far and away the biggest concerns of voters (Pew Research's Nov 2007 stats back this up). So, what do we get in the CNN debate? The Bible, homosexuality and immigration...which at least has been in the news a great deal (even though only 6% of voters say it's their top issue, according to Pew).
This is the problem with debates put on by organizations with political/programming agendas: the questions are slanted and the whole thing becomes a farce. Give me the Black Congressional Conference or League of Women Voters (both of whom do a great job on their respective debates) debate over a Lou Dobbs-focused CNN debate. At least there I know that there is an agenda, I know what it is, and the questions can be focused on a given group's concerns and issues out in the open.
My two cents...
DPG
Posted by: David Gonzalez | December 03, 2007 at 08:31 AM