10.10.2008 6:26 pm
Brokaw had a chance to be great, and he blew it
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The October 7 Presidential Debate was the most disappointing 90 minutes of tv that I have seen in a long time. My biggest disappointment was with a journalist I have great respect for, Tom Brokaw. I guess he didn’t realize that often the quality of the debate can depend on the quality of the questions you chose to ask. Tuesday night brought us no new information, but led us to the same campaign trail talking points, facts and figures. I thought of a few questions that I would have expected in a format such as this:
1. If the U.S. was in a time of peace and prosperity, what would be the first domestic issue you would like to tackle and how?
2. At what time in your life were you the most proud of your country?
3. What one person outside of your family influenced you the most and why?
4. My daughter turns 18 next month, has registered and will vote for the first time. What promises and hope do you offer to her generation.
Questions like these would have helped to define the canidates. They would have given us insight into their thought process, problem solving methods and character.
You were given a great opportunity Mr. Brokaw, and you blew it.
Jeanne Lipinski
St. Louis
Jeanne Lipinski:
I was under the impression that Brokaw was trying out for the position of the “moderate left” (determined dunces) voice on ABC’s The View. His tiresome tone could put even those cuckoo wildcats to sleep.