As political theater goes, Wednesday night’s CNN/YouTube Republican presidential debate was more Old Shtik rather than Old Vic.
Since the Mishagosh at the Mahaffey the blogosphere, the airwaves, the political establishment and the professional thumbsuckers have been attacking CNN for a perceived a bias toward the Republican contenders. Please, can we put an end to this kerfuffle of crybabbies?
Let’s face it, the seven presidential aspirants knew full what they were getting into when they agreed to participate in the CNN/YouTube debate format, so didn’t they pretty much get exactly what they deserved?
The biggest faux indignity surrounded a question posed by Keith Kerr.
Here it is in its entirety: “My name’s Keith Kerr, from Santa Rose, California. I’m a retired brigadier general with 43 years of service. And I’m graduate of the Special Forces Officer Course, the Commanding General Staff Course and the Army War College. And I’m an openly gay man.
“I want to know why you think that American men and women are not professional enough to serve with gays and lesbians.”
CNN has been vilified in some quarters for allowing Kerr’s question, since the general also serves on a gay and lesbian steering committe for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Yes, absoutely, CNN stumbled badly in not better vetting Kerr and the general could have been more candid about his political associations.
Still, regardless of those problems, is Kerr’s question any less valid?
Why shouldn’t those aspiring to become commander-in-chief be asked about an issue, which has plagued the military for many years?
And more broadly, why shouldn’t Democrats be allowed to submit questions to Republicans?
At the same time, the GOP field also had their fair share of soft-balls, from Republican apparatchik Grover Norquist asking a question about raising taxes (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!) to NRA members offering fat juicy loaded pitches on gun control.
Where CNN committed a major gaffe was in allowing Kerr to deliver a speech from the audience, a courtesy no other questioner was allowed. Bad form, very bad form.
Finally, just a few brief observations.
Probably the best line of the night was delivered by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who when asked if Jesus would permit the death pealty, retorted: “Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office.”
It was a cute line. It should also be noted, Huckabee ducked the question.
Also, is it a law or something that at least one protester at these sorts of things has to look like John Lennon? And can we please dispense with all the atrocious Woody Guthriie cover music?
Finally, Huckabee supporter Chuck Norris is a big-time movie icon, who once starred in a dreadful, horrible, terrible television series, “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Uh, Mr. Norris, you’re 67 years old. You’ve made a ton of money. Can’t you afford a better hair-dye job. Good giref, it looked like you had pureed carrots on your head in the spin room.