It's no secret that television has dumbed down the world, especially television news. Brief quotations, an emphasis on the visual over the cerebral, a stress on conflict rather than consensus -- these are just some of the ways that television news coverage has impoverished our public discussion of important issues. The medium is the message, we are reminded yet again.
The presidential debates are in many ways a microcosm of those trends. In the world of television, 90 seconds or two minutes to answer a question is a relative eternity, but it's still not enough.
So in a way, I agree with the Livingston Press and Argus' complaint in an editorial for Sunday (Oct. 12, 2008) that the last presidential debate between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain left many questions unanswered.
For example, the editorial complained that Obama's position on the "surge" in Iraq is unclear and asked if he thought there were better alternatives. "Some voters might want to know if Obama can learn and be flexible, or will he stick to his position no matter what?" the editorial asked.
It's true that the debate did not go deeply into the issue. (Why it was even raised at all during a debate on domeestic policy issues is another question.) The moderator failed to exercise his discretion to follow up.
But the editorial leaves the impression that voters have to rely solely on these debates for their information. In the internet age, that's just not so.
Obama has a comprehensive website that discusses the surge and notes that while it has contained the violence, there has been no progress toward a political settlement. That, afterall, was the goal of the surge. Would he have proposed an alternative strategy? Yes. Getting out and requiring the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own affairs.
Obama also has written two books, which are very well thought-out and well-written discussions of who he is and what he believes.
A ton of information exists on Obama, for anyone who wants to go looking for it. Just don't expect it to show up on television.
2 comments:
Sorry, but while a candidate's website is a good source for information, you have to admit that it is one-sided. To fully vet a candidate, someone has to probe a lot deeper than our current media...who are either milquetoast in their fear of appearing biased; sucking up so that they can be on the candidates A list; or hopelessly in one camp or the other, such as the Fox crew.
Hey, Judy! How about some information about this fine, upstanding Democrat!
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Florida Democratic Rep. Tim Mahoney called on the House ethics committee to investigate his own behavior after ABC News reported that he paid a former staffer who was also his mistress $121,000 to avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit.
Rep. Tim Mahoney is facing allegations he paid $121,000 to a former staffer and alleged mistress.
Mahoney, who is married, did not directly address the ABC report, but said in a written statement, "I was notified this afternoon about a story that ran on ABC News' web site reporting allegations about a former employee. While these allegations are based on hearsay, I believe that my constituents need a full accounting.
"As such, I have requested the House ethics committee to review these allegations. I am confident that when the facts are presented that I will be vindicated."
The ABC story said Mahoney began an affair with Patricia Allen during his campaign in 2006. Allen was later hired to work for Mahoney's Florida congressional office.
In addition to the $121,000 legal settlement, the story reports that Mahoney secured Allen a job at the consulting firm that handles his campaign commercials.
A spokesman in Mahoney's campaign office in Florida declined to answer any questions regarding the allegations in the ABC report.
Mahoney's West Palm Beach area congressional seat was formerly held by Republican Mark Foley, who resigned in late 2006 after his own sex scandal involving inappropriate communication with male House pages.
"The irony is not lost on any of us," a senior Democratic operative said of the allegations against Mahoney.
"I just learned today about the serious allegations concerning Congressman Tim Mahoney," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California after Mahoney asked for the probe.
"These charges must be immediately and thoroughly investigated by the House Ethics Committee," she said.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, recently confronted Mahoney about a report on a blog that he had been unfaithful to his wife.
DCCC spokeswoman Jennifer Crider said that Van Hollen spoke to Mahoney "about his responsibility as an elected official to act appropriately and urged him to come clean with his constituents if there was any truth to the rumor."
In a sign of how politically devastating the allegations are for Mahoney's chances of re-election, The Cook Political Report, a publication that rates congressional races, quickly moved its rating on Monday for his Florida seat. Rather than leaning Democratic, it was switched to "Lean Republican."
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