by R.A. Scott

Created on: October 07, 2008   Last Updated: April 02, 2011

The big question is how many people are tired of how debates and interviews are carried out today? If they, like me, are indeed tired of candidates advancing their own causes regardless, then it is imperative that their feet be held to the fire. We deserve nothing less than straight answers to straight questions.

We saw in the Vice-Presidential debates, by both candidates, but Sarah Palin said explicitly that she wasn't going to necessarily answer the questions asked. She explained that she was going to advance her case regardless of the questions asked. What is the point of an interview or debate when questions are not answered? It's a rhetorical question but the answer must be that there is no point.

If the candidates refuse to answer the questions that are asked then they might as well be allowed to use the network time as live adverts. Just let them on the stage to speak for an hour each then the audience can applaud politely and then go home. It won't make for great television but at least the candidates will get to say their piece without a silly moderator asking inane questions.

The electorate won't be any wiser because they won't be having their questions answered but why should that matter? As long as the public are being fed all the information that the parties deem fit for their consumption then all is well. The public is always better off when they ask no questions and accept what they are fed and swallow it hook, line and sinker.

Why would the public really want their questions answered anyway? The parties always know what's best for the masses. Oh, wait this is not Nazi Germany or Communist Russia no, people deserve answers to their questions. They must force the candidates to answer their questions even if it does not go hand in hand with what the candidates want.

It was obvious Sarah Palin was attempting to avoid the questions from the moderator and thus from the public. The moderator or interviewer represents the public and the candidates must recognize that. The candidates must recognize that it's the public who vote for them and the public wants and needs answers to their questions. But currently the candidates don't seem to think that's important especially Sarah Palin who rails against the so-called liberal media for attempting to force answers from her. That must be annoying to Ms. Palin who finds it hard then to advance her cause without restriction.

It behooves the candidates to answer questions posed by debate moderators and interviewers who are representing the public.

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