What SHOULD be on next debate???

[Anonymous]

I'm an Obama-Mama with secret respect for McCain (and the Christy Todd Whitman side of rep party), BUT, I honestly don't think I can stay awake through another "debate" snooze fest. Anyone have questions or issues to raise for those still willing to listen? Doubt I'll change my vote, but it would be kinda neat to hear from actual "American" people both sides seem to claim to represent. What say yee?

[Anonymous]

I would ask Barack Obama about his Pledge To Meet With President Ahmadinejad Without Precondition...and any other "enemy"....

And I would like him to clarify what he meant. Because that freaks me out.

[Anonymous]

oh, PP here, and Id also ask him how he feels about Biden being against that idea.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I would ask Barack Obama about his Pledge To Meet With President Ahmadinejad Without Precondition...and any other "enemy"....

And I would like him to clarify what he meant. Because that freaks me out.

This has already come up in the debates. Obama pointed out that the Bush administration is already talking to the Iranians, that several former Secretaries of State, including McCain-advisor Henry Kissinger, support talking to the Iranians, and "without preconditions" does not mean "without preparation". Finally, Ahmadinejad is not the highest authority in Iran and might not even be the appropriate Iranian leader with whom to meet.

[Anonymous]

Rather than an "interesting" debate where somebody comes up with some surprising new proposal (that probably won't get through Congress) or some zinger that flusters his opponent (but does not have any real significance), I would like to see a serious discussion of where their basic principles and goals for the country differ.

I would like to hear why each believes his ideas are better for the country, but no long-winded attempts to demolish the other's ideas. No fireworks; just a serious discussion that proves they really respect each other and are more interested in giving voters the information to make a sensible choice than in convincing us why the other guy will be a disaster.

[Anonymous]

I want hear hope, optimism, and rhetoric that motivates people to look forward and take action. I was struck during the primaries even though I wasn't an Obama supporter about how early on Obama spoke in ways to lifted people up rather than tore others down. I didn't expect this nasty beahvior from McCain. While I'm happy that he has finally stepped back a little once his campaign went to far, I don't entirely trust it is out of integrity and not out of poll watching that this approach is backfiring. Sadly, my trust in McCain is gone forever but if he starts taking a high road or at least not the lowest possible road perhaps he can stop damaging the Republican party image.

The debate will probably not change the election results but national campaigns have a way of shaping public opinions toward a party and future candidates in longer term ways. I'd like to see the Republicans get back on track in a positive not nasty, negative way and at the same time see Obama really turn up the dial on optimism to build confidence something, which at this point in time, could produce real results.