On October 3, Jim Lehrer will moderate the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The debate focus is domestic policy, and with that in mind, I have five suggestions for questions Jim Lehrer can use.
Governor Romney, can you explain how you will change the Medicare and Medicaid programs when you become President?
Governor Romney, you asked your running mate for ten years of tax returns before selecting him. You have also said that paying income tax is one way people can take personal responsibility and care for their lives. Why won't you give the citizens of the United States of America the same ten years of returns to assess you that you demanded of Paul Ryan?
Governor Romney, you described the 47% of Americans who will vote for Barack Obama as dependent on government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. President Obama has described his health care plan as one he adopted from what you established in Massachusetts. If you believe such programs cater to those who believe they are victims, why would you develop a program that would make more Americans dependent on government?
Governor Romney, can you explain how giving massive tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans will pay down the deficit? Aren't you ashamed to prop up Art Laffer's voodoo economics in 2012?
Governor Romney, why would it help to be a Latino?
My guess is Jim Lehrer will ask something along the lines of the first question, but not the others. Then again, this is ostensibly a debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, not Mitt Romney and Mitt Romney. Answering those questions might leave little time for the president to get a word in.