Here at CBS 46 News, we’ve been covering each of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates. Following each debate we have devoted half of our 11pm newscast to post analysis of the debates. The most recent Presidential debate was arguably nothing new according to our analysts who represent the Republican and Democratic view points. Having watched each of these debates, it seems there’s a deliberate attempt on the part of the politicians to not answer the questions put to them. I’m talking about a direct answer to a direct question. ‘Would you commit US troops if Israel were to be attacked by Iran?’ Granted … the public may be war weary at this point, but what would be wrong with an answer that started with a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ followed by the reason why? Instead we get a party-line shoe shuffle which ends with a statement that suggests a possible yes or no answer, but never comes right out and says it.
This same kind of rhetoric is heard in response to many of the questions posed to the candidates. This is a time in our history that requires clear decisive leadership. It can not be politics as usual from either side. It is imperative that regardless of your political persuasion that you vote on November 4th or before. The choices are what they are.
As we quickly approach election day, we’d like to know if your concerns have shifted or been re-prioritized given the recent events on Wall Street, the employment situation, the housing crisis, gas crisis etc. Maybe there’s some element in all this we’re missing? What would you say is the top five things that matter to you in order of importance? Consider this an impromptu non-scientific blog survey. I appreciate all your comments and may read some of them on the air during our newscasts.
Hi, Bill…
My priorities haven’t shifted, per se, but I do believe that whoever wins the election is destined to fail in their first term. I say that because they will be inheriting such an enormous mess, I don’t know that four years will be enough to clean it up.
As for the rhetoric, you’re correct. They’re tap-dancing on moderate lines so as to sway fence-sitters to their camp, and earn their vote. Unfortunately, politics has reached a point where we aren’t voting FOR someone, but voting AGAINST someone. The two-party system is destroying our country, and politicians waving their party’s banner, blaming the other side of the aisle, has become more important than acheiving something. I’ve actually become of the belief that politicians stand to gain more by NOT accomplishing anything than by actually accomplishing what they promise to, behind the veil of “hope”, “change”, and enveloped in the U.S. flag waving in the wind.
I hate to sound like a pessimist, but the government has forced my hand. It’s my stance, by default.