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The Question For Tonight's Presidential Debate

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Sun Jun 03, 2007 at 04:38:40 PM EST
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The question I would like to see asked in tonight's Democratic Presidential Debate:

It was reported today that 14 US Soldiers have died in Iraq in the first 3 days of June. Last month, 127 US soldiers died in Iraq. Since the start of the war, 3,493 American soldiers have died.

Most of you have committed to withdrawing from Iraq if you become President in January 2009. The question for each of you is the following:

Do you commit to an immediate redeployment of American troops in Iraq from the moment you become President? And, given the fact that the President has indicated that he will not be redeploying troops from Iraq during his Presidency, what should the Congress do in the face of the President's stated policy?

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    The Question For Tonight's Presidential Debate | 5 comments (5 topical)

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    Easily deflected (none / 0) (#1)
    by manys on Sun Jun 03, 2007 at 04:51:10 PM EST
    They'll answer the question they wish was asked, that is, with their policy objectives.

    Shall I post my obvious followup? (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Jun 03, 2007 at 05:05:28 PM EST
    But actuaslly my point would be answered by their deflection.

    IF they deflect, then I know what their REAL answer is. No commitment to immediate redeployment upon becoming President.

    Do nothing to end the war while Bush is President.

    Parent

    Well then why ask any question at all? (none / 0) (#3)
    by Molly Bloom on Sun Jun 03, 2007 at 05:17:06 PM EST
    Of course they will answer the question that they wished was asked. How they respond will still tell you something.



    Parent

    I do tend to find debates (none / 0) (#4)
    by andgarden on Sun Jun 03, 2007 at 05:23:59 PM EST
    less revealing than good one-on-one interviews.

    Parent
    My questions are more macro (none / 0) (#5)
    by profmarcus on Sun Jun 03, 2007 at 05:45:07 PM EST
    there are only a few things that matter to me about any presidential candidate...

    one, can she or he describe accurately and honestly the dire straits the united states is currently in, both domestically and globally...

    two, can she or he describe where we need to be as a country that's different from where we are, someplace that captures (re-captures?) the profoundly important constitutional principles and historical guarantees of free and open democracy, equal justice under the law, and the bedrock respect for the dignity and value of all human beings regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin...

    three, can she or he present a realistic, achievable plan for getting there, a plan that incorporates the official, legal - as scott ritter says - repudiation of all the pieces that have been put in place to negate those principles and guarantees, AND a means to hold those who have sought, are seeking, and will probably seek again to negate them...

    when any presidential candidate starts speaking of those things in clear, specific terms, i will be willing to listen, but not before...

    And, yes, I DO take it personally

    The Question For Tonight's Presidential Debate | 5 comments (5 topical)

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