Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Last week I sat down in front of my television to prepare myself for the intellectual waterboarding that we call the presidential debate. The theme of the debate was supposed to be national security and foreign policy, but, as with all public debates, it was a series of expertly dodged questions and a “take-no-risk” philosophy.
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I thought maybe times had changed, but I was wrong. I had to turn it off after 90 seconds because I feared I would start mutilating body parts to stop the pain from what I was witnessing.
Why is it that something as important as the United States’ presidency can be dragged into a series of three meaningless 90-minute sessions? Why can I get more information about the views of these candidates from the New York Times than from their actual versions? It may be because of the “take-no-risk” philosophy that dominates politics.
After reading the transcript of the debate the next day, one sentence in particular stuck out. It was actually said by moderator Jim Lehrer, and it foreshadowed the complete debate.
Lehrer said, “All right, let’s go back to my question.” He said this after … (drumroll) … one question. The candidates dodged the first question of the night with pointless posturing and politically necessary caveats, so Lehrer had to ask the question again, four minutes later.
Where is the risk? Taking a predictable stance while saying what your audience wants to hear is exactly like playing for the tie in a sport. It requires basic knowledge and patience, and you hope your opponent stops actually paying attention at a level necessary for victory and then you skate away even. There is no risk involved.
I want politicians who will say that they don’t have the specific answer for everything. I understand they aren’t experts in all aspects of government — that’s why they have a cabinet.
I want someone who can go 20 seconds without comparing Main Street and Wall Street because, in the end, buzzwords mean nothing. Talk about the crisis and how it can be solved and how that way will work better than another way.
I want them to say they voted on something because of party policy or that they flip-flopped to help them appear more appealing. I want the arguments in these debates to get so heated that there is an awkward feeling that things could get violent. Only then would I start to think the presidential candidates have personal feelings attached to what they are saying instead of pleasing the Howard Deans and Mike Duncans of the world.
Above all, I want politicians who can take those risks and not be afraid to take on the media or their opponents. That shows that they’re human, and I’ll vote for a human over a politician any day.
— Graham is a Columbus, Ohio, graduate student in exercise physiology.
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Comments
Graham: What the debates didn't give us
very well said. please insist on contributing more.
Graham: What the debates didn't give us
A change in headlines. Thanks for pointing it out.
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