Howie Kurtz is on the job, offering his vapid observation that there is a controversy a-swirlin’, and the Malkin Brigade has upped the ante, as they are now outraged that one of the questioners was a FORMER CAIR intern. Apparently, in order to ask a Republican candidate a question, not only must your current occupation and allegiances pass the Malkin test, but your past affiliations as well.
Meanwhile, the rabble at CNN respond:
CNN also aired questions from supporters of Democratic candidates John Edwards and Barack Obama.
And that’s fine by the network, which is standing by its question selection process and lashing out at critics who say the debate demonstrated CNN’s liberal bias.
“We’re focused on the questions, not the questioners,” said Sam Feist, CNN’s political director.
“There were 5,000 questions sent in and we wanted to have the best questions. I think we found them,” he said, pointing out that the estimated 4.9 million viewers made it the most-watched presidential primary debate in cable history.
CNN’s decision to focus on the question, and not the questioner, makes me wonder if they have an anti-Latin bias, what with their outright rejection of argumentum ad hominem. It probably is pointless to note that Michelle initially had no problem with the questions, as she stated that “the questions were almost all coherent and well-framed.” Good questions clearly take a backseat to fake outrage.
And finally, the deep thinkers at Red State are demanding a do-over, complete with a virtual petition from the entire editorship:
1) Republican candidates for President should boycott CNN.
2) Republican viewers should boycott CNN until they fire Sam Feist, their political director; and David Bohrman, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the debate.
3) One or more of the Republican candidates should demand a do over wherein we can have a substantive debate about substantive issues that exclude CNN’s agenda, which is clearly out of touch with the Republican party, and the drivel we saw from YouTube.
Though it is rare we take this additional step from a Directors post, we the undersigned contributors want to make sure our names are attached hereto:
{a long list of Red State Editors who you probably don’t know because they banned you from commenting the first time you went there and you said to hell with them and never went back}
It is always exciting to attach your name to calls for someone else’s job, especially when they have done nothing wrong. I salute the brave patriots at Red State for this act of courage. When Democrats and former CAIR interns are allowed to ask 4 of approximately 30 questions, it is a clear sign that there is something deeply flawed with the system. Someone needs to be fired for this outrage.
At any rate, we agree with one point being made by Red State- there should be a do-over. We suggest the rational network for this would be Pat Robertson’s CBN, and we suggest that it should be held at the only place a Republican can really feel safe these days- Guantanamo Bay (if Gitmo doesn’t work out, there is always Baghdad! After all, it is safer than Detroit.) . Those who wish to attend in the studio audience will be required to bring their voter registration card, sign a loyalty oath, and bring some proof of past commitment to the cause- a Peace Through Strength button from the 80’s, a highlighted copy of a Coulter text, Confederate Flag underwear, etc. Additionally, CBN can engage in a vigorous vetting of the candidate, and only quality questions from good honest Republicans will be asked. Questions like:
1.) Hillary, Satan, and Osama bin Laden are standing in front of you, and you only have one bullet. Who do you shoot?
2.) President Bush- great President, or Best President EVER.
I really think Red State is on to something, and feel free to help out with potential questions.
*** Update ***
3.) “Why do your Democratic counterparts insist on debasing the political process with crude insults? Please confine your answer to one candidate only—Hitlery Clinton, Barack Osama, or the Breck Girl?”
4.) When engaging in extramarital gay sex, do you have to wear a wetsuit? Two?
5.) “They’re both all-powerful deities, but who would win a fight between Ronald Reagan and Jesus Christ?”
*** Update ***
Red State and Human Events are moving the ball forward:
RedState and Human Events are happy to combine forces and offer the following.
We have a base of readers who represent the Republican wing of the Republican Party. You – and the Republican Party – deserve to face the questions posed by undecided Republicans, not Democratic activists. We will solicit and obtain YouTube videos from those people and vet each questioner to establish that they are – really – – undecided Republicans. We hope to include soldiers in the field in Iraq, Young Republicans, and others who still have not decided among you.
WOO! I hope they use some of our questions.