The modern American political "debate" is a predictable affair. Telegraphed questions, pre-planned answers, practiced one-liners and occasionally a glimpse of something that matters. These days the quick answer is to blame the moderator(s). Remember the Des Moines Register editor who never asked the Republican contenders about illegal immigration just days before the Iowa caucuses, even though polls showed it consistently as one of the most important issues to voters.
But it isn't just the moderators: They're bit players really. It's the process of politics as practiced today -- scripted most of the way.
No
Lincoln-Douglas debates;
no Clay, Calhoun and Webster bashing out the slavery issue in real time on the floor of the Senate.
Something historic may be at hand, with the report that
Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are considering "holding joint forums or unmoderated debates across the country in front of voters through the summer." You mean, one-on-one -- talking about what
they think is important rather than just responding? The ability to challenge or at least politely question each other?
Call me naive, but this idea offers real possibilities. Now let's see if the candidates (and, more importantly, their handlers) follow through on it. May the best man win.
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