CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

GreenieGirl — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 01:16:31 -0000

Debates are a waste of time if it's just the two major parties pointing blame at each other and speaking in sound bites. That's why we should mix it up and let Whitney debate. I'm also a fan of WndyCty's suggestion to have the candidates for the other offices debate at the Springfield fair.
The moderators should be non-partisan, give equal time to all candidates, and field questions from the public (perhaps submitted ahead of time online, to reach a wider audience). Maybe this year the debates could actually be about the issues.

Re: Question of the day

Greensschafer — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:15:19 -0000

I've had one media outlet tell me that if there is a Green Party candidate on the ballot, it may not make a difference . Rob and Judy are making the rules, and they will make them to their benefit. If either could arrange a one-party debate, they would. The last thing they'd want to do is suggest that there's any competition besides the other. So if you want a fair, unbiased debate, you'd better start agitating now or it's not going to happen.
My media contact also noted that if it was up to him, he'd cancel the debates alltogether unless the Greens, et al on the ballot, were included, but that it wasn't likely to play out that way. The corporate parties will pay whatever it takes to make sure they're the only ones represented.

Re: Question of the day

The More the Merrier — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:53:35 -0000

Any candidate on the ballot should be in the debates. The Green Party has to collect 25,000 VALID signatures to get our gubernatorial candidate, Rich Whitney, on the ballot. Blagojevich and Topinka had to collect 5,000. For all this work and affirmation from voters, we should be in the debates. If the Constitution Party candidate or anyone else gets on the ballot and overcomes these horrendous ballot access laws, then they should be in the debates as well. It will force Rod and Judy to actually discuss the issues rather than accusing each other of being corrupt (they're both right).

Re: Question of the day

Greensschafer — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:38:54 -0000

Regarding "other" parties, see my op-ed piece in the Peoria Journal Star, Sunday June 11th.
http://www.pjstar.com/stori...
We're going to be a real contender in the race, and Rich will shake up the polls, based on my "man-on-the-street" polls.
While many voters won't sign anything, there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the current candidates and they're looking for alternatives! It will be more than enough for the others to take notice.
and, BTW, we WILL make it onto the ballot.

Re: Question of the day

Ignatius J. Reily — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:18:25 -0000

James Meeks should moderate an interview format with phone in questions.

Re: Question of the day

Long Time Reader; First Time P — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 19:23:11 -0000

I generally prefer debates where the candidates can banter back and forth, no time limits or things like that. But, what I absolutely HATE are debates where the questions come from the audience. All the questions are planted by the various campaigns, and it's all a big joke.

I like it best when a honest, non-biased, reporter asks genuine questions that matter.

Re: Question of the day

Truthful James — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 17:15:58 -0000

I am confused about the purpose of a debate. Is it to convey information about policies and plans and how to achieve them.

Or is it full combat, blood sport, designed to make people stutter or blink or fall down bleeding. If the latter, all you jokesters are right about creative moderating and traveling circuses.

As a straight moderator, the newly retired Dick Kay would be great. His institutional knowledge fills the bill.

Re: Question of the day

Common Sense in Illinois — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 16:59:12 -0000

Rich, you had the best idea weeks ago. Whoever hosts a debate should ask Dick Kay to moderate and use the same format as City Desk. Good interaction, appropriate tension and Dick Kay holding both candidates accountable.

Re: Question of the day

Ashur Odishoo — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 16:24:17 -0000

Now I see Kevin White is challenging Rahm Emanuel to a debate on the war. That would be interesting, but Rahm will leap and twirl away from that challenge.

Re: Question of the day

Yellow Dog Democrat — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 15:57:27 -0000

I'd have one general debate in every region of the state between the candidates (Chicago, Rockford, Quad Cities, Springfield, Champaign, Edwardsville, Mt. Vernon). The moderators should all be local political print journalists/columnists, and they should be able to interrupt, rebut, or ask questions on redirection. Rich Miller, John Patterson, Greg Hinz, Kristen McQuery, and Christie Parsons would be on my Chicago panel. Carol Marin, Andy Shaw, and Lynn Sweet would not.

I'd also have five forums focusing on the top five issues in the upcoming election: Education, Health Care, Job Creation, State Budget/Taxes, and Government Ethics/Corruption. For these forums, I'd either invite leaders from groups with a passion about these issues to be the moderators, or i'd put a representative of those groups up on stage and into the fray. I'd love to see Blagojevich duking it out with Ralph Martire over education funding and the budget or Topinka going head-to-head with Jim Duffett or Lynda Delaforgue on health care. Putting non-politicians up there on stage with nothing to lose would really make the debate interesting.

Re: Question of the day

Lovie's Leather — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 15:47:00 -0000

Hey, Establishment... how about...?
17. Mike North
18. Boers and Bernstein

Or we could have an open debate (over all issues Illinois) with one minute to respond and a thirty second rebuttle... and it could be moderated by Jim Oberweis and Ed Eisendrath. They would take turns asking the questions. Wait til the Roesers (Tom and Jack) hear about this....

Re: Question of the day

Establishment Republican — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 15:18:34 -0000

Suggested Moderators:

1. Mancow
2. Dick Mell
3. Coach Ron
4. Edwin Eisendrath/Jack Roeser
5. Ditka
6. Dick Kay Snodgrass (again)
7. Rich Miller/Rick Pearson/Scott Fornek (beards on parade)
8. Skippy Jacobson
9. Terri OÃ¢â‚¬â„¢Brien
10. Randall Sherman/Mark Giangreco
11. Roe Conn
12. Ron Santo
13. Bob Greene/Neil Steinberg
14. Carol Marin/Jerry Springer
15. Sister Muhammad
16. George Ryan

Re: Question of the day

annoyed all the time — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 15:02:00 -0000

WJB that was funny. I think Mancow would be great! Talk about a challenging debate for both candidates. He would fairly go at both of them. I too wish they had more time to answer and would just say what they are or would do... not even be allowed to mention the other candidate or they get zapped with an electric current. By the end of it Gov's hair would be out of control and JBT's makeup would be all over her face...

Re: Question of the day

Superfan — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 14:52:28 -0000

Quad Cities: As my good friend Todd Swerski could tell you, we would need a 13th Debate at Ditka's Restaurant to create a true Bakers Dozen.

Re: Question of the day

William Jennings Bryan — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 14:29:37 -0000

Mancow should host the debate. It should be held at Lollapalooza. Blago can sing us his responses channeling Elvis. JBT can sing hers channeling Annie Lennox.

Re: Question of the day

quad cities — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 14:25:15 -0000

A debate in every downstate media market -- Rockford, Quads, Peoria, Quincy, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Bloomington, Marion-Carbondale, Metro East plus Chicago.

That's 11. Then, to make a baker's dozen, do one in Galesburg at the site of the infamous Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Perfect plan.

Re: Question of the day

Dan Vock — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 13:43:15 -0000

I like the State Fair (could be any public forum) idea. This would never happen, but... You could even make it a bit of a gameshow. Let the regular Joes who ask the questions get to rate their satisfaction with the answers the politicians give. Or have experts ask the questions and a panel of real people (just don't CALL it a focus group) give out scores. Give candidates a few minutes to respond, so the zingers don't automatically carry the day.

You'd keep the crowd entertained because they'd want to see who wins. And you'd make the day-after stories of debate winners and losers a heck of a lot easier. There'd actually be a score.

It's kind of cheap, but if a politician saw people were only giving him a 1 out of 10 for reciting phrases like "reform and renewal" or "public official A," maybe he'd actually try to say something interesting.

That or we could just go back to the old, old days of hootin' and hollerin' at debates. ;)

Re: Question of the day

Wumpus — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 13:29:39 -0000

Judy with her Accordian, Rod dressed as Elvis, All topics are open.

Re: Question of the day

leigh — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:55:05 -0000

"Austin Mayor" I believe you have had a stroke of genius. Perhaps if I may modify, audience participation. If your candidate misses you do the shot as well. Bars across Illinois will be flooded with interested voters:)

Re: Question of the day

doubtful — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:47:23 -0000

Several of the suggestions on here are great. Single issues debates with longer time allotments would be a great way to start off. After a few of those, some town hall style q and a sessions.

I'd like to see forceful moderators and strictly goverened times. The interuptions during their first debate drove me nuts!

Re: Question of the day

Jechislo — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:37:20 -0000

I'd pick one or two of the State Employees that Blago fired. As a backup, I'd pick a couple of current State Employees with over 25 years experience.

I'm sure this would give us some very interesting insight into the current internals of State Government. I'm sure Rod would prove that he doesn't have a clue what's going on in his Departments; or how bad things really are.

I'd hold the debates downstate in Logan County at the old Lincoln Development Center.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:23:16 -0000

can someone tell me what a QOA and a schmo are?

Re: Question of the day

Left Leaner — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:18:19 -0000

I'd propose a debate in Kankakee about ethics moderated by Patrick Fitzgerald.

Re: Question of the day

One Man Can Make A Difference — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:16:53 -0000

THANX RICH, THAT WAS MY FRUSTRATION!!!!!

Re: Question of the day

So-Called "Austin Mayor" — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:05:14 -0000

I propose a debate built around a game of Quarters:

* After the moderator asks a question, each candidate tries to bounce a quarter into a shot-glass of booze.
* If the candidate misses, he or she drinks before answering.
* If the candidate bounces the quarter into the glass, the opponent drinks before his or her turn to answer.
* The debate continues until a candidate passes out or until the race becomes interesting.

It's not Lincoln-Douglas, but it might get Illinois voters to tune in.