The Circus

I almost didn't want to think about last night's debate. I spent a long day at work going over the whole thing in my head and ended up at 3 P.M. with the wish that I hadn't watched it in the first place. People talked about it all around the office and the general consensus was that it was terrible and disappointing to watch, but there is much more to it than that.

Stephanapolous and Gibson did not ask a serious question until almost the hour mark. ABC, one of the big three networks, once covered stories like the Vietnam War and Watergate. The station that once created The Brady Bunch is now famous for Desperate Housewives, and it seems like its news division has followed in tow.

One year ago I heard George Stephanapolous speak at St. John's University. The speech he gave was not dissimilar to his journalism: arrogant, elitist, and out-of-touch. Stephanapolous (and Gibson as well) failed the general public last night. The fourth estate is supposed to give us an honest look at a candidate, instead we got questions about lapel pins and a nutty pastor. And while the huge amount of the blame goes to ABC for allowing such a charade to unfold, I cannot help but criticize Obama as well. If the soon-to-be Democratic Presidential Candidate had called out the moderators he would have done so to thunderous applause. The American public are sick of non-issues and are indeed bitter at their government. Obama represents a change to all of this; a way to give Washington back to the people and he failed to capitalize last night. Of course, he did make a few comments today which were on the mark, but the boldness to do so last night would have not only confirmed his status as the one "against the quo," but would have also set him apart as a leader. If he wants to win the general election, this is the image he must put forth.

And I don't care if I spelt Stephanapolous's name wrong.