Comments on: Debate Questions I'd (Still) Like To Ask http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/ Reality-based political commentary Sat, 16 May 2026 01:55:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Arthur http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/#comment-2084 Arthur Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:13:31 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/#comment-2084 Fair enough, Chris...Though personally, if anyone should be asked a question on this issue, it's Hillary. Something along the lines of "Senator Clinton, you have publicly criticized Senator Obama for his 'Present' votes in the Senate as if they were not actual votes, when in fact, 'Present' votes are practically the equivalent of 'No' votes in the Senate, and his abortion-related 'Present' votes were with the blessing of Planned Parenthood. Did you not already know this? If you did, then why did you attempt to deceive the voters with it, and if not, then - with your '35 years of experience' in American politics - why not?" Fair enough, Chris...Though personally, if anyone should be asked a question on this issue, it's Hillary. Something along the lines of "Senator Clinton, you have publicly criticized Senator Obama for his 'Present' votes in the Senate as if they were not actual votes, when in fact, 'Present' votes are practically the equivalent of 'No' votes in the Senate, and his abortion-related 'Present' votes were with the blessing of Planned Parenthood. Did you not already know this? If you did, then why did you attempt to deceive the voters with it, and if not, then - with your '35 years of experience' in American politics - why not?"

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/#comment-2083 Chris Weigant Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:31:21 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/#comment-2083 Arthur - Click over to the Huffpost article (last link in above text), as I just answered a similar complaint there in the comments. Yes, I am aware that there are explanations for the "present" votes, but never from Obama himself. I don't think this is a huge issue, but I do think it will be used against him by McCain in the fall. So I think the question needs to be asked to Obama directly, to defuse it for later. His problem is that no matter how he answers it, it's going to look like "playing politics." This will hurt him a little in the authenticity department. But I don't think it's a major scandal, or even a scandal at all. He needs to address it, explain it, and then we can all move on. But I still think it's a fair question for a Democratic debate forum, personally. Thanks for commenting. -CW Arthur -

Click over to the Huffpost article (last link in above text), as I just answered a similar complaint there in the comments.

Yes, I am aware that there are explanations for the "present" votes, but never from Obama himself. I don't think this is a huge issue, but I do think it will be used against him by McCain in the fall. So I think the question needs to be asked to Obama directly, to defuse it for later.

His problem is that no matter how he answers it, it's going to look like "playing politics." This will hurt him a little in the authenticity department. But I don't think it's a major scandal, or even a scandal at all. He needs to address it, explain it, and then we can all move on. But I still think it's a fair question for a Democratic debate forum, personally.

Thanks for commenting.

-CW

]]> By: fstanley http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/#comment-2082 fstanley Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:02:57 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/#comment-2082 Good questions. I like the last one about the executive orders - as in "three wishes" to make things right. I would be very interested to hear their answers to that question. My question: Many poles have shown that a large majority think the country is going in the wrong direction. What do you think is the right direction for America? ...Stan Good questions. I like the last one about the executive orders - as in "three wishes" to make things right. I would be very interested to hear their answers to that question.

My question:
Many poles have shown that a large majority think the country is going in the wrong direction. What do you think is the right direction for America?

...Stan

]]> By: Arthur http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/#comment-2081 Arthur Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:28:00 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2008/04/16/debate-questions-id-still-like-to-ask/#comment-2081 Chris - You're aware, aren't you, that "Present" votes in the State Senate aren't just neutral acknowledgements of being in attendance, but practically the equivalent to voting "No", right? His "Present" vote on the anti-abortion bills, for example were part of strategy he worked out with Planned Parenthood to get more moderate senators to vote the bills down. More here... http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Abortion.htm ...and many other places, really. Surprised you didn't know about this one already, it's rather old news. I'd cut that question from the list. Chris -

You're aware, aren't you, that "Present" votes in the State Senate aren't just neutral acknowledgements of being in attendance, but practically the equivalent to voting "No", right? His "Present" vote on the anti-abortion bills, for example were part of strategy he worked out with Planned Parenthood to get more moderate senators to vote the bills down. More here...

http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Abortion.htm

...and many other places, really. Surprised you didn't know about this one already, it's rather old news. I'd cut that question from the list.

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