CNN: American Public Can’t Be Trusted To Vote On Debate Questions
CNN: American Public Can’t Be Trusted To Vote On Debate Questions
The CNN/YouTube Republican presidential debate tonight will allow people nationwide to upload a 30-second video to YouTube and ask questions directly to the candidates. After a similar Democratic debate in July, members of the media hailed the format as “historic.”
Yet CNN staff still selected which YouTube questions were presented to the candidates — as they will tonight — often resulting in “bland, softball” questions being posed. Several technology experts have called on debate organizers to go a step further and involve the public “in deciding which video questions were worth airing.”
But in an interview with Wired, CNN senior vice president David Bohrman defended CNN’s methods, arguing that the public can’t be trusted to choose intelligent questions:
For all the talk about online voter empowerment, the web is still too immature a medium to set an agenda for a national debate, says CNN senior vice president David Bohrman.
“If you would have taken the most-viewed questions last time, the top question would have been whether Arnold Schwarzenegger was a cyborg sent to save the planet Earth,” says Bohrman, the debate’s executive producer. “The second-most-viewed video question was: Will you a convene a national meeting on UFOs?”
Are the public’s questions really all that different from the ones chosen by journalists? After all, at the Oct. 31 Democratic debate, moderator Tim Russert also asked a “serious question” to Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) about whether he ever saw a UFO. Watch it:
And of course, at its recent Democratic debate, CNN prevented UNLV student Maria Luisa from asking a serious question about Yucca Mountain, telling her to instead ask Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), “Do you prefer diamonds or pearls?”
In August, The New York Times surveyed seven people with “experience in both new media and old” to describe what a “a real new-media debate” would look like. Read the piece here.
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Kucinich 08′…
’nuff said.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:18 pmKucinich / Jon Solz ‘08
November 28th, 2007 at 4:19 pmFourteen Defining Characteristics of Fascism
#6. A controlled mass media. Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:22 pmRIP USA
November 28th, 2007 at 4:23 pmOh lord. This one deserves a *BAER* (Big Ass Eye Roll)…
November 28th, 2007 at 4:23 pmApparently, the feeling of distrust goes both ways.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003678478
November 28th, 2007 at 4:24 pmCNN :”Public cannot be trusted…that’s why we ask you to trust our Wolf Blitzer”.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:28 pmit’s time magazine’s online entertainment arm, what do you expect, reality?
November 28th, 2007 at 4:30 pmlike cops. sure cops are going to act the same in front of a tv camera, we all believe that right?
they are all actors bullshitting you for a living. treat them for what they are, the lowest form android life. They are asking to be ordered around by us. which one will carry out those orders?
Maybe CNN should just let the voice of James Earl Jones decide what questions will be asked?
November 28th, 2007 at 4:33 pm9 – like they need any help!!!! ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 4:34 pmHmmm… journalists paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to ask bland milquetoast questions…
People off the street (or internet if you prefer) who have real jobs and don’t make half the money and aren’t trained to ask the ‘tough’ questions and on occasion ask weird off the wall questions or, more likely, are making fun of the entire journalistic profession by creating oddball questions.
Yeah, I can see why they would want the former and not the latter…..
November 28th, 2007 at 4:35 pmThe general public has long been divorced from political discourse. It would take a major revolution, in “media coverage”, to reclaim our voice.
BTW, I’m still pissed that ANYONE can hold an “exclusive debate”. As far as I’m concerned it invalidates the whole process by allowing a single entity to frame debates. Our first step should be to mandate that all debates are on every broadcast network. Both T.V. and radio.
Second step is to have “real” debates where each candidate is alloted a time to respond to each question. Separate questions for separate candidates is, at best, pointless.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:36 pmThis will be another CNN produced debate with previously selected questions made up to show the Republicans in a bad light.
The CLINTON NEWS NETWORK can’t be trusted!
Comment by John Kerry — November 28, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
#
All they need to do to make America hate the republicans is ask three questions:
1. Do you support President Bush? Even the greater majority of the right-wing is sick of him by now
2. Do you want to stay in Iraq forever?
3. Should we attack Iran?
Once they answer those three questions the dem candidates will win by a landslide.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:37 pmWell CNN certainly can’t even be trusted to report the news accurately, much less choose intelligent debate questions.
Let’s try the unwashed masses and see how it goes…couldn’t be any worse than Joke Line.
Ordinary folks are only divorced from the mindless bubble-head drivel that the Corporatists broadcast. Every time intelligent debate manages to break out somewhere, ratings go up. Look at The View with Rosie…even bored stay at homes were interested.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:40 pmWell at least 24% of Americans can’t be trusted to vote, see what we got because they did vote, even though the Idiot-in-chief only got there by cheating.
Cheating, it’s the Repukian way.
Bush/Cheney
Hague Trials ‘09
Buck Fush
November 28th, 2007 at 4:40 pm‘Splains why I don’t watch CNN.
“BAER”??? I like that one.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:44 pmKucinich 08′…
’nuff said.
Comment by Fan of Man — November 28, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
Yeah, the first tongue-pierced first lady in history. Fitting in this Brittany of USpearsA.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:46 pmWhat’s wrong with an attractive suphisticated woman having a tongue piercing? Hardly seems the same as the Tonya Harding white trash USA you mention by trying to make the linkage to Ms. Spears
November 28th, 2007 at 4:49 pmKucinich is the only intellectually honest, authentic candidate. Therefore, he must be marginalized by the corporate establishment and their media tentacles. It’s the obvious play.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:54 pmThe Dem debate was littered with Righty talking-point questions.
GOP leadership cried and held its breath til cnn caved…
because Righties are all crybabies who could never win a fair fight, and never have.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:54 pmOf course CNN is threatened by the prospect of having the middle man cut out. Don’t need reporters when people ask the questions themselves.
Also, it’s a threat to the layer of insulation between politicians and reality.
The internet is too new to senior vice president types. They can’t regulate the message.
This CNN statement shows how obvious it is that the political system is broken, and run by corporations.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:56 pmCorporate elite types admit they think the general public is stupid. Which has truth to it.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:57 pmObviously, the audience should have a voice in selecting the questions for the candidates. Using a vote for the questions or the number of times viewed can be effective means. There is nothing wrong with screening out some questions (UFO conference/Terminator) as long as there is some explanation for excluded questions. This would also force CNN to select questions that are more relevant to the public and avoid soft balling to curry favor with the candidates.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:05 pmIn my experience, I find the average Joe at a town hall meeting asks better questions than the “professional” journalists.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:17 pmDemocracy only works as long as the people have no control.
/sarc
Paul/Kucinich ‘08
Just imagine
November 28th, 2007 at 5:26 pmA public deemed untrustworthy to vote on debate questions must surely also be untrustworthy to vote for the President in the eyes of the great corporate masters. Diebold anyone?
November 28th, 2007 at 5:29 pmGiven Bush won the last national election even after proving to America what a dip $hit he is, I don’t trust the American public to vote for my president, never mind choosing some ridiculous cartoon question.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:35 pmpublic can’t be trusted to choose
Code for the public can not be trusted to allow corporate MSM to continue on with MSM fascism. Keep the corporate strength that is invested in media, MIC, big pharma, health care industry, prison industrial complex, flourishing…. do not ask the wrong questions.
I will say one thing, I am worried about the 20 something age group. I see a bunch of know it alls, with their life buried in video games and such that have absolutely no clue what so ever. Attitudes I have picked up on from this voting age group:
November 28th, 2007 at 5:49 pmSources? From 3 different regions.. 2 in 2 community colleges, and another in a third city in my blue state of Oregon.
So the Gov. of CA is a cyborg? We’re saved!
November 28th, 2007 at 5:52 pmand yet you’re silent when it comes to Ni4d.us
November 28th, 2007 at 6:01 pmCorporate elite types admit they think the general public is stupid. Which has truth to it.
Comment by ForTruth — November 28, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Considering the only thing that separates them is money (not a determiner of intelligence) i’d have to agree…all of them are stupid.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:05 pmCNN.com’s Quick Vote right now:
“Who asks better questions at debates?”
With almost 50,000 votes:
November 28th, 2007 at 6:10 pm87% – The public
13% – Media
“If FOX says it is so, then it is so. We are fighting them over there because of 9/11. They are a bunch of rag heads… we should bomb Iran.”
As a member of that demographic, I can tell you that we are the most informed and aware, albeit apathetic, since at least (my understanding of) the 60’s. There are some who fit the above representation, but they are not the majority by any stretch of the imagination.
At worst, we simply hate Bush because we know that its cool to and because the war sucks.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:18 pmComment by J — November 28, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
I speak for no one but me. I hate Bush because he’s an enemy of America, it’s people, and our highest ideals. His own words, and deeds, have convicted him and I don’t need the input of any “talking head” to reach that conclusion.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:35 pmAt worst, we simply hate Bush because we know that its cool to and because the war sucks.
Comment by J — November 28, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
at best, we hate Bush because he hates America, and the war sucks because a deserter is trying to run it to prove he’s a man to his daddy, who’s just another wimp.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:36 pmI feel like Maria Luisa has continually gotten a pass. Yes, CNN was foolish to have her ask the diamonds/pearls question, but it was her question to begin with, and I think that shouldn’t be glossed over simply to make a point about stupid questions stronger. To Ms. Luisa, and others attending debates in the future, keep the stupid questions to yourself. (And for the record, I don’t think a question about UFOs is stupid, but diamonds/pearls, boxers/briefs, etc. certainly are.)
November 28th, 2007 at 7:04 pmcnn, give me a break, they have as much credibility as fox. It’s too bad, they used to be the best.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:22 pmhaven’t read any comments…
i perceive a bit of underhandedness by TP with the showing of that
kucinich video – a “subtle” way to get in the dig – with only a mention
of hillary’s planted question – an attempt to make it seem balanced?
i thought kucinich did a great job handling what was an obvious attempt
to try and make a fool of him… i’d be disappointed if TP would try also…
…
i’ll check back in on the answer(s), but i was wondering what the folks here think about the KUCINICH / PAUL ticket i read about at C&L…
intriguing…
November 28th, 2007 at 7:31 pm#37 Comment by Lefty Patriot — November 28, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
at best, we hate Bush because he hates America, and the war sucks because a deserter is trying to run it to prove he’s a man to his daddy, who’s just another wimp.
Although these reasons are true they are not “best” in my view. We should “hate” BushCo because they are morally and ethically bankrupt. When your base philosophy and psychology is criminal, nothing you do is free from taint. Even those things that appear good, are in all probability, bad for some hidden reason.
The illegal, pre-emptive invasion, and current occupation of Iraq is the best example of this total moral and ethical bankruptcy. We simply have no right to be there. The waterboarding that BushCo approves of, is yet another glaring example of a soul less group of people who believe that the “their ends justifies their means” and the rest of the world be damned.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:35 pm#40 Comment by katy — November 28, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
i was wondering what the folks here think about the KUCINICH / PAUL ticket i read about at C&L…
intriguing…
Personally, I don’t want Paul as a Vice president (or President as “J” suggests at #27). He is right on the occupation of Iraq, but not much else in my book. His Libertarion positions on domestic issues are opposite from mine.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:42 pmOn Kucinich for President
November 28th, 2007 at 7:55 pmKucinich, on the other hand, represents most of my positions. Sadly, he hasn’t a ghost of a chance of winning even the primary.
Comment by katy — November 28, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
Personally, I think domestic issues are nearly irrelevant. If we wish to, at least, pay lip-service to sweeping changes in foreign policy; I don’t see anything short of a Democratic “super majority” getting the message across. I don’t see anything else doing much to restore us to an honorable place among the world’s nations.
Both Paul and Kucinich are “outsiders” and I don’t think the time is right for “outsiders”. Neither one can use the existing political machine to effect change. Though it pains me to say it, we need someone who will get partisan support. Paul and Kucinich don’t fit the bill.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:06 pmListen to TP. They constantly censor posters on here but then get all up in arms over CNN Moderating their debate. I’m a supporter of TP and and a staunch Lib, but this is a little bit of a pot calling the kettle black.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:30 pmPart of the problem is the fact that technology is replacing our connection to the community. The Internet is a powerful tool, but it has contributed to a growing sense of individualism. Everyone sits at home, watching the debate on their computer screen and never even seeing the thousands of other people doing so. This Saturday, on the other hand, there will be 5,000 people at the Heartland Presidential Forum in Des Moines. There will be real people talking about real issues with the candidates. It will be a dialog, instead of the same old stump speeches we’ve all heard dozens of times. And the focus will be on community, the politics of connection instead of division, on standing up and standing together. To find out more and join the debate, visit http://www.movementvisionlab.org.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:37 pmThese debates have become a circus. Once the primaries have passed, I will look forward to one on one debates.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:06 pmMeanwhile, I agree that the moderators have been known to ask totally irrelevant, partisan, insignificant and unworthy questions of these candidates, so questions from the public are not much of a change.
I DO object, however, to the live audience with their applause, cheers and boos — they subtract from the time allotted and add nothing to the debate.
KUCINICH / PAUL ticket i read about at C&L…
intriguing…
Comment by katy
I like Ron Paul’s view on the Iraq war, but because he is a libertarian, I am hesitant to support him. I would think his domestic views would clash with Kucinich’s, therefore I am starting to wonder about Kucinich as to why he would possibly consider Paul.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:13 pmHere’s a question for all the candidates: If you could adopt a whale, what would you name him?
a) Kaimana b) Shanti c) Mr. Splashy Pants
November 28th, 2007 at 9:18 pmre: Kucinich/Paul
November 28th, 2007 at 9:35 pmBut on the other hand, if this was the only way Kucinich could win, having Paul as a running mate, then I would support this only if Paul was VP. How much harm can a libertarian VP do with such a strong pro democracy type as Kucinich?
What???? Paul/Kucinich??? Are you stoned?? Wait, never mind, you are a libertarian, of course you are.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:06 amCNN senior vice president David Bohrman defended CNN’s methods, arguing that the public can’t be trusted to choose intelligent questions
Of course, CNN’s role -along with the rest the media- in bringing down the level of the national political discourse is ignored.
It’s much easier to place the blame on the “ignorant” public to distract from the celebrity-centered culture American media have created.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:47 amPaul/Kucinich
I brought it up because I think, with their views being so different from the status quo and from each other, they could balance out in a healthy manner and a greater number of people would ultimately feel and be represented by our government. That would surely be a breath of fresh air.
I do fear that pete is correct. As fragile as our democracy currently is, now may not be the time to make such a drastic change. Ironically, the time to attempt to implement policies that Kucinich and Paul advocate is when things are somewhat stable. The paradox is that that’s the time no one wants to change anything because they’re going so “well”.
One can still hope, though.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:11 amMerlin @ 7:42 pm and 7:55 pm
pete @ 8:06 pm
i’m in agreement… with most others also…
pete’s point is especially important… and one i’ve been stressing:
OVERWHELMING DEMOCRATIC VOTER TURNOUT.
THEY CAN’T STEAL IT IF IT’S NOT CLOSE.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:38 am.
Well, if the Public can’t be trusted to choose intelligent questions, then neither can the clowns who work for CNN.
Let’s see during the debate we saw no questions about Health Care, no questions about Peak Oil/Alternative Energy and no questions about Iran. … But we did get a question about The Boston Red Sox and the Confederate Flag. What a joke.
November 30th, 2007 at 12:22 pmI can relate to most of these posts. My recommend finger is active. I really resented the question to Kucinich regarding UFO’s, not because I don’t believe in such, but CNN knows that others don’t and were trying to paint Kucinich as a kook. And this after he had called for the impeachment of Cheney three times during the debate. That was their last question–to marginalize Kucinich and to control the subsequent coverage. Was anything mentioned about Kucinich’s call for impeachment? Not. Was anything mentioned about UFO’s? You know.
I like Ron Paul’s arguments regarding the war and the world bank and federal reserve, but his social programs would not be good for this country. Of course, Dennis would be president, and unlike today’s administration, Dennis would be boss. It might help get republican cross-overs. I’m not sure being an outsider is a bad thing in this political climate. I think the voters may be searching for “outsiders” in this next election. We may have many new outsiders in congress in 2009.
December 1st, 2007 at 12:09 pm