The South Carolina Democratic Debate sponsored by MSNBC was not a Democratic "debate" at all. (Transcript here, video here).
Sure, eight Democratic hopefuls (some more hopeful than others) were placed on a stage, Jeopardy style, and yes, they answered questions on domestic and foreign policy. But the "debate" wasn't between the Democrats. It was with Brian Williams himself.
Williams, of course, moderated the "debate." Yet the "debate" wasn't styled with the intent of having the Democrats highlight differences between themselves. Simply put, this was not a Democratic debate. It was a Republican vs. Democrat debate.
Throughout the debate, Williams volleyed Republican frames or talking points to the Democrats, doing so either explicitly or at times in a more subtle manner. The result? Democrats spent hours in a mind-numbingly boring "debate" swatting away Republican talking points rather than engaging in a real debate over differences between the Democratic candidates on the most critical issues of our day.
Below the flip, I present to you the moderator's greatest hits:
Senator Obama, you have called this war in Iraq, quote, "dumb," close quote. How do you square that position with those who have sacrificed so much?
Because "some say" that you can't be for the troops but against the war.
Governor Richardson, if you were representing New Mexico in Congress, despite your opposition to the war, do you think you would vote to fund the troops?
Because "some say" that debate is about funding or defunding the troops, not the war.
Senator Clinton, recent national polls indicate the majority of the general public has an unfavorable view of you, right now, at this point in time.
Why do you think Republicans are looking forward to running against you with so much zeal?
Because "some say" Clinton is too polarizing and would be a gift to Republicans.
Senator Clinton, if you were currently the president, would you defy the majority of American citizens and offer a form of amnesty for illegal aliens?
Because "some say" that the "amnesty for illegal aliens" is actually on the table.
Senator Dodd, this is from Joe, and he asked, "I have to pass a drug test to earn a paycheck. Shouldn't the welfare recipient have to pass one to receive a check, as well?"
Because "some say" that Democrats want a welfare state where anyone can get welfare.
Senator Clinton, a friend of yours from back home, said this week: Quote, "the Democrats do not understand the full nature and scope of the terrorist war against us."
Another quote: "America will be safer with a Republican president."
Because "some say" --let's not drag Rudy's good name into this--that Democrats are weak on terror.
Staying on the notion of the environment, which somewhat unbelievably is where that question started, what in your personal life, Senator Obama, have you done personally to make for a better environment?
Because "some say" that Democrats like Al Gore and John Edwards are hypocritical when it comes to energy conservation.
A friend of mine who's in the leadership of the Democratic Party says that if the party goes down a third straight time, what will happen is what he defined as modern-day extinction of the Democratic Party.
Because "some say" that anonymous concern trolling is a fine way of leading the American people to believe that the Democratic Party is on the brink of total demise (nevermind those unprecedented 2006 electoral gains).
Democrats, overall, did a decent job of knocking down each of the GOP attacks one by one (Obama's answer on his Palestine/Israel statement was a particularly fine rebuttal). And where the questions did allow them to highlight differences, they did so.
The South Carolina Debate once again put on display exactly what the press believes passes for an acceptable political discussion in this country. "Interviewing" means elevating even the most wickedly false claims and concepts to a level worthy of response and validating their erroneous premises (the infamous "some people say" strategy, of which Ms. Katie Couric is an avid fan). "Hard-hitting" questions means sticking your hand in the mud, dredging up the most used GOP talking point (usually found by refreshing Drudge), and flinging it at a Democrat.
There's nothing wrong with have Democrats "debate" Republican frames and Republican positions; as of late, they have been especially good at it. But let's not try to pass such ill-formated presentations off as a "Democratic" debate.