Confucius: “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”
The results are in. Michael Bloomberg will not be president. He, the pundits agreed, is a lousy debater and perforce, will be rejected in his campaign to be the nominee of the Democrat party. We’ll see.
The real loser last Wednesday evening was NBC/MSNBC. They produced a terrible debate. I was reminded of a cockfight (which is outlawed). According to Wikipedia “Being a spectator at a cockfight is prohibited in 43 states and the District of Columbia.” I wish I had known—several hours would have been saved.
The only way to have a real debate is with rules and enforced order. Talking over others should be ruled out of order. As should distracting hand-waving; I thought Elizabeth Warren might take flight. And there should be a timekeeper who muted microphones when time is up. But, not intending to write a handbook on debate rules, give me a minute of your time on questions.
The question of the night seemed to be asked of Senator Amy Klobuchar. She was asked why she could not remember the name of the Mexican president. She said and I paraphrase: I forgot it and want to apologize and went on to talk admiringly of her work in the United States Senate on matters pertaining to Mexico. Self-admiration is not in short supply in the debates. After she was asked a second time about her failure Senator Warren admonished the questioner. Perhaps the questioner forgot she had answered.
In lieu of questions intended to provoke the verbal equivalent of a cockfight, let me suggest a few alternatives.
First, Senator Sanders we live in a federalist system, please tell me which State programs you believe are making measurable progress in reducing poverty?
The next question is for Senator Warren. What steps would you take to resolve the nuclear crisis with North Korea?
Mayor Buttigieg, climate change threats will require the central government to issue command and control regulations. What do you favor?
Vice President Biden. What would you do as President that you couldn’t talk President Obama in to doing when you were his Vice-President?
Senator Klobuchar, are there steps we should take in post-secondary education that would provide a less disruptive career path for young adults?
And finally to Mayor Bloomberg. You have been an active philanthropist. Have you gained any insights on what works that would cause you to change the government’s approach to intractable problems?
Finally, I thought Mayor Bloomberg made a telling point when he asked of his debate contestants whether any had started a business. Doing things is often more instructive than talking about things.
And, NBC/MSNBC should now understand that voters do not choose saints. The election of Donald Trump was instructive. Probe for the sinners choices—for how they would lead our government.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al recently published Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
Angela Rieck says
Great commentary…trying to make sense of that debate
Mike Jensen says
Spot on analysis Al, representing great conservative values. Yet let’s acknowledge that regardless of the questions, this crop of Democratic hopefuls is a sad lot at best.
Rod Coleman says
An excellent set of questions, but clearly not the point of the debates. TV is entertainment, hand-waving and chaotic discussions are entertaining. We’ll once again get the President we deserve.
Craig Fuller says
Excellent points! To which I would add that having had a hand in presidential debate preparation in the past, there is nothing about these modern day televised gladiator contests that is remotely connected with governing as a chief executive. Time was when we had a couple serious debates over the course of an election cycle. Now it is like weekly reality television. Leadership seldom can be reduced to 90 second answers or standing next to someone assaulting every aspect of your life. Time to dial this part of the election process back and focus more on the kinds of issues Al Sikes poses here!
Alan Boisvert says
I thought the debate was “perfect”
Claycomb says
Good comments. It made all the participants look petty, selfish, grasping and unwilling to consider alternatives to their own opinions. Not unlike our present administration. It appears they have each decided that’s a winning formula.
Tom Hill says
Would you please apply as a questioner in the next debate? You posed great questions. Hearing answers would finally give the American public some clue as to how they would try and govern our country. Finally we would get some questions with some meat on them. Thank you, Al.