The debate in Philadelphia

Apparently the American people don't care about substantive issues like war, health care, education, energy policy, or climate change.

At least that's what ABC News thinks about the American people. Last night there was another presidential candidate debate between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. Unfortunately, what should have been a serious discussion was turned into a rigged reality show-style presentation chock full of meaningless "gotcha" questions by the hapless moderators and producers at ABC the new FOX.


(Graphic parody by NPI, some rights reserved, may be reproduced)

Instead of debating the issues of the day, Senators Obama and Clinton spent their time talking about gaffes, flag pins, and their associations with other people (see - guilt by association).

Then it was back to Obama to defend his slim association with a former '60s radical -- a question that came out of rightwing talk radio and Sean Hannity on TV, but delivered by former Bill Clinton aide Stephanopolous. This approach led to a claim that Clinton's husband pardoned two other '60s radicals. And so on.

More time was spent on all of this than segments on getting out of Iraq and keeping people from losing their homes and other key issues. Gibson only got excited when he complained about anyone daring to raise taxes on his capital gains.

At least for ABC, this debate wasn't about elevating political discourse or helping people to discern the differences between the two candidates,. It was about ratings and the corporate bottom line. In my estimation, the debate and its moderators failed on all accounts.