What should Fox ask the GOP candidates tonight?
5:15pm Eastern update.
As promised, here’s a sample of the questions you want asked…
John Ansell: “Will they refuse campaign donations from La Raza?”
Jose: “If incursions by Iran are not acceptable, why are ones from Mexico?”
Aloha Guy: “Which side are you on in the DC gun control case?”
Desert Lover: “Will you support illegal immigration laws like those passed in Oklahoma and Arizona at the National Level?”
“Would you support a CO2 emissions reduction program that penalized people or businesses for driving their car or using electricity?”
“Name $500 billion in government programs you’d work to exterminate.”
Sgt Tim: “As President, what Constitutional Rights would you direct our troops to advise OBL of should they capture him this side of hell?”
***
The Fox News GOP debate in South Carolina begins tonight at 9pm Eastern. The stakes are high. Ron Paul will be included this time around, so look for questions about the newsletters the blogosphere has been buzzing about the past few days. Here are the latest poll numbers: “McCain is now the front-runner with 25 percent, followed by Iowa caucus winner Huckabee at 18 percent and Romney at 17 percent. The results for all three top candidates are within the survey’s margin of sampling error. Fred Thompson, who is from the neighboring state of Tennessee, captures the support of 9 percent, while Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul both receive 5 percent.”
After watching so many of these debates, we know what works and what doesn’t work. Focused, incisive questions–with focused, incisive follow-ups–work. Pre-taped video questions and reporter packages that eat up airtime don’t work. Setting up head-to-head conflicts between specific candidates–and allowing them to engage each other directly–works. Giving the candidates any time–30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, whatever–to recycle stump talking points/opening statements/closing statements doesn’t work. Catching the candidates off-guard works. Asking the same, retread questions that have been asked in every other debate doesn’t work.
What do you think Fox should ask the GOP candidates? Immigration is a huge issue, of course, in South Carolina. With the exception of the driver’s license question that Hillary botched, we haven’t had a truly illuminating discussion of the issue in these debates. Last weekend’s debates handled the issue poorly. The candidates were allowed to bloviate and spew platitudes about amnesty without pointed follow-ups. I mentioned the Mexican incursion report this morning as good fodder for questioning. I think Huckabee’s enticement of the Mexican consular office to Arkansas and the widespread penetration of illegal alien consular cards deserves tough scrutiny. Laura Ingraham exposed his shuck-and-jive routine on the cards last month:
Partial transcript:
LG: You didn’t come out against [the Mexican] consulate issuing consular ID cards though, did you?
MH: I actually signed a bill in 2005 that prohibited people from getting a driver’s license who were illegal–
LG: –that’s not answering the question, governor. I understand that. But that’s not answering the question. Because I’m staying on this consulate issue. On the issue of the Mexican consulate, did you or did you not oppose the Mexican consulates issuing ID cards that are then used by illegal aliens to open bank accounts and get a number of other social services beyond health care and beyond education in the United States.
MG: Well, what I want to do is fix this entire problem by having sealed borders.
As I noted last month, that’s not much of a “fix” if he’s inviting foreign consulates to rent out space for $1 a year to hand out bogus illegal alien ID cards so more immigration laws can be broken.
McCain should be hammered on shamnesty. Not just his flips and flops and the definition of shamnesty, but the profane, arrogant, contemptuous, scheming, debate-suppressing, amendment cherry-picking, process by which he wanted the shamnesty bill rammed through last year. Why has he been left off the hook for scheming with Reid and Kennedy on the “Grand Bargain” strategy? Doesn’t anyone remember?
All the candidates should be asked quick yes-or-no border security/immigration enforcement policy questions:
- Should the government continue to provide funding to cities that adopt sanctuary policies or not?
- Should illegal alien ID cards issued by foreign consulates continue to be acceptable in the face of strong opposition from homeland security and law enforcement experts?
- Do they support or oppose the expansion of the federal employer verification system being challenged by the ACLU?
- Do they support or oppose efforts to train local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration law?
- Do they support or oppose current federal DREAM Act legislation?
Yes or no. Simple.
Looking to other topics that have received little coverage in other debates, I’d also like to see the candidates be forced to go on record supporting or opposing the Bush/Hillary housing bailout efforts. What should be done to “solve” the “crisis?”
You know what I’d like to hear:
I’ve also mentioned Huckabee, Gitmo, and the ACLU as good fodder for questioning.
Romney should be pressed on RomneyCare. See Jonathan Adler’s NRO comment.
Send your suggestions for original questions or leave them in comments and I’ll post the best ones by 5:00pm Eastern tonight.
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Categories: 2008 campaign
Ed Driscoll
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How do you feel about news networks winnowing candidates for you?
Here are the questions I’d like answered by all the candidates:
• Do you believe that the 2nd Amendment preserves an individual right to keep and bear arms, including so-called “assault rifles?”
• When is it acceptable for the government to break the law or violate an American’s constitutional rights? Specifically address the fourth amendment and habeas corpus.
• Explain why you support or do not support the Federal income tax (up to 35%) and the Social Security and Medicare (FICA) tax (an additional 15.3%). If you support these taxes, explain the benefit given to the American people by sacrificing up to 50% of their income to the Federal government. If you oppose these taxes, how would you prevent a deficit if they were eliminated?
• Do you support laws that limit campaign finance donations (e.g. McCain-Feingold)? If so, how do you justify them in light of the First Amendment?
• Do you support a national ID card for American citizens?
• Would you support a CO2 emissions reduction program that penalized people or businesses for driving their car or using electricity?
• Can a United Nations resolution justify American military action without a declaration of war by Congress?
• Would you be willing to support a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants already in this country?
• What would you change about the war on drugs, keeping in mind that $500 billion dollars later, the incidence of drug addiction in this country has not significantly changed, and our prisons are overflowing with non-violent offenders (for example, marijuana smokers)?
• What will you do to reduce the dollar’s decreasing value?
• To what extent should the Federal Government “bail out” homeowners affected by the subprime mortgage crisis?
• What military programs would you cease, or reduce funding to? What military programs would you initiate or increase funding to?
• What role, if any, should the government play in promoting or rewarding certain family structures over others? Justify your answer in light of the equal protection clause.
• Name $500 billion in government programs you’d work to exterminate.
• How should the voting system in this country change to break the two-party monopoly?
• Assuming the border was secured, and illegal immigrants were deported, what would your immigration plan be? What factors would preclude immigration? Would you employ quotas, or let the labor market determine the immigration rate?
• When should our troops come home from Iraq?
• Was the invasion of Iraq justified, even though the reports of substantial WMDs and material support for al Qaeda turned out to be false ?
• Under what circumstances would you ask congress to authorize a war against Iran ?
• What American security interests are threatened by the Israeli/Palestinian conflict ? Would you continue to fund both sides of this conflict ?
• Will terrorists ever surrender to us, ending the war on terror? If not, is it reasonable to assume that this war could last hundreds of years? How do you convince the American people to support a war of that length?
That’d be one sweet debate. Won’t happen, though. We’re going to get the same fluffy, spin-able questions, and lots of unfair personal attacks.
J S Ragman #93
The Saudis.
Should Dan Rather war his collar up or down?
Should Dan Rather wear his collar up or down?
Politicians answering questions. I am always reminded about the character of the governor in The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. His answer was to Do A Little Sidestep, as I recall the song Charles Durning sang.
The only way to know what a candidate will do is to not listen to their answers; you must review their record.
Period.
Fox should ask them all (McCain and water pistol packing Huckabee last):
Absolutely correct uhangthight…a dem also gave us the lovely Federal Reserve Act, the Railroad Act and the IRS (Wilson).
But the “New” Republicans are bankrupting this country and have admitted they can confiscate just about anything they want to bail them out:
http://www.gata.org/node/5606
On January 10th, 2008 at 4:31 pm, nyc123me said:
Should Dan Rather wear his collar up or down?
I can answer that . Up on the left and way down on the right.
#102 Marshall Russ
Incorrect, as they have forgotten to exchange their food stamps for cash to pay the toll on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and were detained as toll-jumpers.
On January 10th, 2008 at 4:37 pm, J S Ragman said:
#102 Marshall Russ
Incorrect, as they have forgotten to exchange their food stamps for cash to pay the toll on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and were detained as toll-jumpers.
No, wrong because Hsu would get off the train in Vegas thinking he was still lucky enough to get more money for Hillary. The illegals would get off the truck in Lincoln thinking they could actually meet the man.Everyone knows a boat leaving Shanghai would get Shanhaid before it got to international waters.
Question:
Mike Huckabee you say Gitmo should be closed. What do you propose we do with enemy combatants taken during a time of war?
I’d ask them what they think of Bush’s call for an end to “occupation” of Arab lands. I suppose he thinks that would cement his legacy by kissing islamofascist butt?
Anyway I’m sure that Ron Paul would love that (a Palistinean terrorist state). How the heck can anyone be so clueless? Israel needs a terrorist state next door? Bush and Rice are clueless or dangerously deranged.
#110 Marshall Russ
You are correct, it was a trick question. Norman Hsu would have committed Arkancide before arriving. The semi-trailer leaving El Paso was of Mexican registry and not up to US safety standards, so it was detained for faulty brakes south of Denver. And the boatload of undocumented Chinese was discharging oily waste within 50 miles of the US coast, and was likewise detained by the Coast Guard.
The correct answer is that none of them would have made it to Omaha, NO THANKS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
Thank you for playing.
Social (in)Security is broken and no amount of hyperventilating democrats is going to be able to fix it. What specific steps would you like to see taken so individual Americans can once again control that portion of their confiscated income to prepare for retirement? And what time frame do you propose?
#89 check out the links and story provided over at http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com regarding the authorship of those nasty racist newsletters published under Paul’s name. Sure looks like he is the author in many cases. Personally I don’t need the media to show me that he is a lunatic and attracts lunatics and the gullible sheep. Also David Duke has some advice for Paul in another LGF story.
I think Paul and Obama are peas in a pod regarding future of Iraq. It is waste of American lives to work so hard and then have some jackass some in and say eff it all- pull out now, regardless of consequences.
Mr. Candidate: Every year thousands of individual Americans and businesses have their lives disrupted by law suits. The news shows are replete with examples of seemingly insane monetary awards being made by juries to people who can charitably be said to be addicted to stupid behavior. Do you Mr. candidate support TORT reform, and if so does it include any form of loser pays provision?
W
I would extend that question to include all people not included in the last draft. How about 18 – 54?
The question I’d ask is: “Gov Huckabee has expressed his interest in the FairTax during this campaign. Would any of you gentlemen, if elected president, sign the FairTax Act into law if it passed the Congress?”
After following #115 gullomclones link to LGF, I would ask Ron Paul if he will be attending future debates attired in his white robe and hood.
I agree – actually, I think men and women for a mandatory 2 years (minimum) after high school and before college. 4 years (minimum) if you drop out of high school (you study for and receive a GED the first year).
But 35-54? How many do you think would pass the physical? Too many cheetos and cream soda, I think.
Personally I’d like to know why Fox has been so adament in keeping Duncan Hunter frozen out.
Ask them if they would arm the Border Patrol to stop the incursions of Mexican nationals/military/police with the narcotic traffickers in the border.
Ask them what they perceive as the border patrol’s responsibilities.
Good questions, Mark. If the campaign survives to Wisconsin, I will be back here to pull them from the memory vault and ask them.
Another Fox News debate with Republicans and none with the cowardly democrats who continue to run away like pathetic jackrabbits from the cable News outlet that conitues to squash the other cable outlets by huge viewership numbers.
I hope someone uses a few moments of their bully pulpit on stage to call sharp and strong contrast between the Republicans and the Democrats on this issue. Rudy did it but only once, and the rest have not done it at all. Americans in the aggregate or practical and clear-headed; put this contrast before them enough times so that they remember it, and the voting public will know who the couragious candidates are, and who are the pathetic, yellow-stained cowards.
100% of the debate should focus on the War on Terror. The first one that advocates blowing up Iran right now has carte blanche.
If they want to try and face down US ships, to quote Dubya…”Bring it on.”
The rest is nonsense, and should be reserved for the democratic debates.
Respectfully,
eric
How do you feel about agricultural price supports? Bear in mind that you you will not be elected if recipients of price support payments don’t vote for you.
Do you believe Homeland Security money should be distributed on the basis of need to the areas most likely to be attacked, or that it should be divided evenly among the states regardless of risk?
Do you believe signing statements carry constitutional weight? If so, why?
Oh, and moderately off topic…January 9th was my birthday.
So advocating that we blow up Iran…and then follow through with it…would be the best present I could ask for.
May the debate tonight deal with wiping Armageddonijad off of the map.
Respectfully,
eric
Oh, and for all those nervous nellies out there, Giuliani, McCain, Romney and Thompson are all fine men. We are lucky to have such a strong group in terms of pursuing the War on Terror…and with regards to lower taxes as well.
Huckabee is on his way to being a trivial pursuit question, and Rupaul will hopefully be with the rest of the inmates in the asylum, being closely monitored by Tancredo so he cannot escape.
Respectfully,
eric aka the Tygrrrr Express
http://www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com
(Peeks out window) Did hell just freeze over? lgm actually posted something that makes sense.
This won’t happen, of course, but at the opening of the debate, Chris Wallace should strongly caution each participant that ALL DIRECT QUESTIONS must be answered in an EQUALLY DIRECT MANNER. And if they veer of on a tangent, they will be immediately interrupted and brought back on topic.
Never happen.
/preview not working
Are you in favor of stiff, mandatory, per capita, civil fines for employers found to be employing illegal aliens?
I have a compound question:
Why are you so liberal and boring?
No, Azygos, hell didn’t freeze over, and yet lgm made some comments that (shock) made some sense. I’d like to address an error in his logic, however, back in post #25.
He states that the idea of lowering taxes and growing the economy were malarky. I am assuming he said so because deficits increased.
The problem with his logic is that the economy did in fact expand, and revenue to the federal government did in fact increase.
The problem we faced during the 1980’s, and have faced even under Bush II, is that spending climbed. Both times tax reductions increased revenue to the government, but, alas, both times spending outpaced income.
Spending is what produces deficits. The economy increased, but big spenders (then, democrats, now, republicans acting like democrats) were in no way contained.
I do like that lgm wanted a very specific question asked: what programs would you cut to reduce the deficit? Unfortunately, we all know that no politician alive would answer that one directly, I dare say not even Ron Paul.
Question for Fred Thompson:
You said this afternoon on Sean Hannity’s program that nothing legal could be done to prevent anchor babies other than a constitutional amendment and that constitutional amendments very rarely succeed.
Don’t you think conservatives would prefer a candidate who is willing to show some fight rather than having such a lazy, defeatist attitude?
I guess I did not get my question in in time, but it’s “How did a nice party like the GOP get stuck with a bunch of turkys like you?”
turkeys
Question for John McCain:
Since there are industries like the farming industry that ‘needs these workers’ that will “do jobs that Americans won’t do”, should we consider providing these same workers to other industries that might like underpaid workers as well — the auto industry comes to mind. I am guessing that GM wouldn’t mind illegals to replace the high-cost union workers they now employ. I am sure there are many companies so why shouldn’t we accomodate them as well?
The exchange with Huckabee is sickening. Any politician who ducks a direct question is automatically eliminated for my vote. Why would anyone consider voting for a dishonest politician? Of course, if we didn’t then we wouldn’t be voting at all.
Question for McCain.
You want to raise the CAFE standards for American autos, which will raise their cost to the consumer by thousands of dollars.
Why should we not consider this to be a tax raise by you?
My question would be:
What do you call borrowing money when you have no intention or ability to pay it back?
I’d then follow up with a question on how they expect to back the IOU’s for the Social Security Trust fund without raising taxes.
The Dems are stealing from Americans every year and they keep stealing more and more.
I haven’t heard any real answers about SCOTUS.
Name one SCOTUS decision from the past 20 years that you think was decided incorrectly and why you disagree with SCOTUS.
Who would you nominate (a real person) for SCOTUS if a position were to open?
How can we stop judicial activism where our courts are rewriting laws?
The border fence, where is it?
The Middle East is in transisition, who is going to admit we will have a permant presences in the region, for a good long while, why? Petrol Politics.
Here are some questions I’d ask (dear God would I love to be an audience member for a possible Rush debate):
To Ron Paul:
Why do you hate the military so much?
Are you a protectionist, an isolationist, or both?
Why do you hate Israel so much?
If you were a nut (or currently are) what kind of nut are you?
Why can’t the US compete, educationally, with other students in the world (to any candidate and Paul)?
How do you propose the US contend with China?
If you think that China owns all our debt, then why haven’t they collected on the debt they owe?
If you’re a Republican, then why are you trying to damage the party so much (this could go to any of the candidates as well)?
Do you think if we trade with the terrorists they’ll stop killing us?
Why are you a politician? Why don’t you just stick a stethoscope down your throat?
Why do you find favor with the anarchist youth of this nation who support you? Will they take care of you in your old age?
To the candidates as a whole:
What counts more in a presidential candidate: making easy promises or actually holding to core, conservative values?
You talk about growing the military. There is a growing disconnect between the civilian and military populations. Young people no longer care about this country (not all) and leach off of it. Would you institute a mandatory, 2-year military service, as Germany and Israel do, where all 18-25 year olds serve the military but also get either college tuition assistance, employment help, or job placement help afterward? How would this work and what would happen to young people who didn’t serve? Could we put them at the border and defend it or deport them altogether?
Do you think people respect the military
or do you think that people espouse support but aren’t willing to either serve, or encourage their relatives to?
What are your impressions of the economy insofar as the current sub-prime meltdown is concerned? Should honest, responsible taxpayers who didn’t get snookered have to bail out these chumps?
Do you think that the middle class still exists? If so, how would you characterize it or define it?
Do you think that the US is fragmenting and growing weaker because many American citizens embody one of the following: a)not willing to serve their country in any way, b)too reliant on the government (welfare and pork barrel recipients, and lobbyists) c)think they’re “owed” something or entitled to certain luxuries they can neither afford or plan for d)think they should be given social entitlement freebies like health care and free college and e)constantly complain, gripe about what’s wrong in their lives but aren’t willing to either make the sacrifices or do the work required to better themselves?
Would you deport the 10-20 million illegals your first day in office?
Why are we giving government freebies to illegals?
How would you bridge the divide between Dems and Republicans? Is this possible?
Should America emulate Europe and their social welfare states? Is this something that Americans want? Why or why not?
These are some questions I’d ask…I have a few choice questions for Paul I don’t think I’ll share.
If you think that China owns all our debt, then why haven’t they collected on the debt they owe?
Let me rephrase this: If you think that China owns all our debt, then why haven’t they collected on it?
How much weight do you give to what the American people want?
Easy there, Huckabee. You can express policy differences without advocating your opponent commit suicide.
I can’t believe my questions didn’t get asked!