Make Candidates Submit "The Following Questions" To Make Debates More Pertinent

“Mrs. Clinton just called. She’s wondering if there’s any chance she could appear again.”

Dear Kevin,

Thanks for your email.

Such unexpected good news!

I look forward to your visit and hope you will spend at least a couple nights with me.

Great debate suggestions!

I would add: "Which one question do you least want to be asked?" 

Of course there won't be many (any?) honest replies to this question but, given your requirement that all questions be made public, it will be instructive to see how candidates "dodge the really tough ones." 

No Republican for example will reveal a detailed plan for balancing the budget: instead they will promise more growth via lower taxes and deregulation, thus growing the economy and making a balanced budget child's play.

They had no such plan in the last presidential election and they have none now.

Contemporary Republicans can no more renounce their core credo of lower taxes and deregulation than pre-Vatican II Catholics could eat meat on Friday without invoking eternal damnation. (I am increasingly intrigued by "the things people cannot do" without their identity disappearing - a fate routinely viewed as "worse than death.")

Here is a pertinent article by Boston College History professor, Heather Cox Richardson, author of "To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party."

The Real Story Behind The Right's Kerfuffle Over The CNBC Debate 
Is The Right's Fear Of Being Exposed

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-real-story-behind-gops-kerfuffle.html

Having sold their souls to The 0.1%, they need moderators who lob softball questions that won't deflate their delusional fantasies. 

They fear the light of day as much as Dracula. 

And for the same reasons...

They are already dead and can only invigorate their zomboid status by sucking blood from the living.

Republican Candidate Debate: Cruz, Carson Differ Sharply Over Timetable for End of World

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/10/republican-candidate-debate-cruz-carson.html"Are Republicans Insane?" Best Pax Posts
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/12/are-republicans-insane-best-pax-posts.html

Compendium Of Best Pax Posts On "Too Pure Principles" And The Collapse Of Conservatism

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/02/compendium-of-best-pax-posts-on-too.html

Having said all that, I quite like Ohio's John Kasich, a fellow who impresses me as sane, compassionate and able to get good things done.

Not surprisingly, he sees his fellows in much the same light I do.

Republican Candidate John Kasich Goes Ballistic Over The "Craziness" Of His Own Party

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/10/republican-candidate-john-kasich-goes.html

Pax tecum

Alan

On Sun, Nov 1, 2015 at 1:29 PM, KA wrote:

Alan:  

... On another note I need to vent.  Just watched the three Sunday morning 'talk' shows; and listened to the continuous battering of the media by the GOP, in particular addressing the recent debate.  As much as I thought some of the debate questions were a waste of time, what I find more a waste of time is the lack of response to many substantive questions/issues.  I do have a recommendation for future debates.  I think that each participant should submit

A.  The top ten questions the individual would like to be asked (guaranteeing a legitimate response)

B.  The top five questions they would like to be asked of 'any participant'

C.  Two/three tailored questions the individual would direct specifically to each participant regarding their position on the issue.

From these the moderators would select and do their best to cover as much as possible; and whether covered or not, all questions and the originator would be made public.

Look forward to hearing from you

K