New Questioners, But Few New Answers
This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.
It may have been just one more in a growing number of debates and joint appearances for the Democratic presidential candidates, but Monday night's gathering in Charleston, S.C., provided solid evidence of the growing influence of interactive politics — and demonstrated the still-large gap between what voters say they want and what their candidates are prepared to deliver.
The eight candidates who took the stage at The Citadel fielded videotaped questions submitted to YouTube and selected by CNN, which televised the debate.
By turns entertaining, creative, straightforward and direct, the questions themselves were in many instances more compelling than some of the canned answers and political slogans provided by the candidates.
Some of the YouTube submissions were laced with doubt and cynicism as to the kind of responses expected, a theme introduced at the top of the debate by Chris, from Portland, Ore., who opened the event by challenging the candidates to "actually answer the questions that are posed to you tonight." Chris reminded them that "this is a format for you to actually speak to a majority of the voting public, as if you were sitting in our living rooms." It was a challenge not taken up often.
The first question, from Zach in Utah, was about how the candidates could assure voters they would accomplish more than politicians usually do outside of "all the platitudes and the stuff we're used to hearing?" The question went to Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, who offered more of the stuff we're used to hearing, like his 26-year record of championing "bold" legislative ideas like the Family Medical Leave Act and explaining why "experience matters a great deal."
Will, from Boston, sounded greatly skeptical that his question would even be chosen and downright certain he wouldn't get much in the way of an answer, even if it was. Will wanted to know whether the candidates favored reparations for African Americans for the blight of slavery. "I know you all are going to run around this question, dipping and dodging," he predicted, "so let's see how far you all can get."
As it turned out, Will's was one question that got a direct response from two of the three candidates given a chance to address it.
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who said he was not for reparations, went on to expound on instances of continued inequality between blacks and whites. Rep. Dennis Kucinich was the only candidate to raise his hand when the would-be chief executives were asked who would support reparations for slavery.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the only African American in the race, more or less skirted the issue, saying instead: "I think the reparations we need right here in South Carolina is investment — for example, in our schools."
Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved. It may have been just one more in a growing number of debates and joint appearances for the Democratic presidential candidates, but Monday night's gathering in Charleston, S.C., provided solid evidence of the growing influence of interactive politics — and demonstrated the still-large gap between what voters say they want and what their candidates are prepared to deliver.
The eight candidates who took the stage at The Citadel fielded videotaped questions submitted to YouTube and selected by CNN, which televised the debate.
By turns entertaining, creative, straightforward and direct, the questions themselves were in many instances more compelling than some of the canned answers and political slogans provided by the candidates.
Some of the YouTube submissions were laced with doubt and cynicism as to the kind of responses expected, a theme introduced at the top of the debate by Chris, from Portland, Ore., who opened the event by challenging the candidates to "actually answer the questions that are posed to you tonight." Chris reminded them that "this is a format for you to actually speak to a majority of the voting public, as if you were sitting in our living rooms." It was a challenge not taken up often.
The first question, from Zach in Utah, was about how the candidates could assure voters they would accomplish more than politicians usually do outside of "all the platitudes and the stuff we're used to hearing?" The question went to Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, who offered more of the stuff we're used to hearing, like his 26-year record of championing "bold" legislative ideas like the Family Medical Leave Act and explaining why "experience matters a great deal."
Will, from Boston, sounded greatly skeptical that his question would even be chosen and downright certain he wouldn't get much in the way of an answer, even if it was. Will wanted to know whether the candidates favored reparations for African Americans for the blight of slavery. "I know you all are going to run around this question, dipping and dodging," he predicted, "so let's see how far you all can get."
As it turned out, Will's was one question that got a direct response from two of the three candidates given a chance to address it.
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who said he was not for reparations, went on to expound on instances of continued inequality between blacks and whites. Rep. Dennis Kucinich was the only candidate to raise his hand when the would-be chief executives were asked who would support reparations for slavery.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the only African American in the race, more or less skirted the issue, saying instead: "I think the reparations we need right here in South Carolina is investment — for example, in our schools."
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this is the only way!!!!!!!!! to stop this adminastration. period..the only way bush has no way of vetoing. so why haven't they done this?
both party are dragging this on to far. its time to end this for god sake
so call on congress to do this NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Article 1 of the US Constitution gives the Congress, not the President, the right to declare war. And the War Powers Act specifies that the President may not continue a war without Congressional authorization. Saddam is dead. There never were any WMDs or ties to Al Qaeda. The basis for the 2002 war authorization is gone.
If Congress passes a resolution de-authorizing the war, the President has no legal authority to continue. De-authorization cannot be vetoed, and it would legally require Bush to begin bringing the troops home.
The time for waiting is over. People are dying every day. We cannot wait until this fall to start bringing our troops home. If Congress doesn't act before they leave for the summer, the only thing that will change between now and the end of the year is the body count.
Congress has a public mandate and the Constitutional authority to end this war.
LETS GO AMERICA WE OWE THIS TO OUR TROOPS DIEING FOR NOTHING BUT THE PRESIDENTS AND MR VP'S PLEASURE, AND PROFITS.....
You've had some really good posts and I know you're a thoughtful person, but you're rapidly slipping into 7 pesos territory with the southern fascist nazi regimen of bile.
In the words of the great sage Rodney King, "can't we all just get along?".
Posted by ConDumism at 02:47 PM : Jul 24, 2007
Hey Prophylactic;
Not everyone from the south is a neo-con. I was denied a govt job, after my discharge from the Navy, because of nepotism (cronyism). Seems the job lined up for me went to a nephew of one of the ladies in the personnel office. I got my job/career on my own (well maybe a call from the vet rep at our local unemployment office.)
Nobody thinks for me, unlike people who follow the party line, hmmm, like a democrat/republican
Posted by realpatriot1 at 02:30 PM : Jul 24, 2007
LOL....and when it does, it ALWAYS points north - with a slight tilt to the left! :) As long as Jefferson Davis' pic is on your monopoly money, we'll probably take it! :)
Good one! LOL!
These candidates really belong in Hollywood where it's more "make believe" like their stances.
Posted by perception5 at 07:24 AM : Jul 24, 2007
Since when did that matter, there isn't one qualified in office now.
Posted by ConDumism
You sure did.
Oh no, New York Times says the Troop Surge is working, whatever will the Cut and Run party do when the Surge starts to produce results.
Haven't you heard? The Iraqi's have put down their guns until the US Fascists leave. Amazing how you ConDums believe every lie spewed from FOX News. EVen Rush Limpball admitted to lying to you morons DAILY after you self-centered fools lost Congress. No wonder you dopes beleive in Fascism over democracy. It's obvious you nazi lovers haven't had an origianl thought in any of your Southern Neocon Bigoted lives. Just let those Fascist Corporate Traitors think for you. But, since none of you have ever gotten a job based uon merit, but instead on cronyism, no surprise by your bigotry at all............