The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 6 of 12)

Jim Bjaloncik br> Stow, Ohio /p> p> Count me as one who, because of Palin's performance last night, cannot and will not vote for John McCain after all. The moderator I feel is standing in and asking questions for the American people. Palin decides she doesn't need to answer those questions and actually has the gall and arrogance to come right out and say so. Add to that, the fact that she looked down and had to read every answer to whatever question happened to pop into her head. You felt she did a great job last night? You can try to fool your readers but you can't be serious. She scared the living hell out of me. Although I find myself in complete disagreement with most of Obama's positions, he will now get my vote because of my terror at the thought of this woman possibly being in charge of my country. Country first indeed. br> -- Paul Zarnikow br> Madison, Wisconsin /p>

I believe you raise some good points regarding interviewing of candidates and how they sometimes are not questioned rigorously enough, as in your example with Couric and Biden. However, I would also point out Hannity at Fox News threw quite a few softballs to Sarah Palin when he interviewed her. These things seem to always work both ways, even if not acknowledged by the right or the left.

What I do question about your article is your characterization of how a politician should be interviewed. You seem to assert that an interview is somehow different than being questioned, or "quizzed" as you put it. I believe an interview of a politician, especially one who is going to be very close to an opportunity to run our country, should ask questions of foreign policy, economics, etc. And when a candidate does not respond when asked a specific question and rather talks in generalities, that candidate should be questioned again until they actually answer the question with specifics.

p>I would agree this problem exists on both sides of the political/media spectrum and too often politicians get away with not answering questions. The presidential race is not a likability contest, and the notion that interviews should treat them as celebrities, rather than treating them like they are interviewing for a job, which they are, is ludicrous. br> -- Travis /p>

Your assumption that Bill Clinton was not asked about foreign policy in 1992 in completely incorrect. In 1991 and 1992 Bill Clinton regularly answered any and all questions about foreign policy. He was found to have a very firm grasp of complex foreign policy matters.

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