The youth of America (18-35) ask the questions and the candidates (and/or their people) answer. I’m not quite clear on whether The New Voters Project Presidential Youth Debate was actually an in-person debate or if it was done over email or something. Either way, I have to admit being somewhat disappointed by John Kerry’s responses. At least he could have used a little more rhetoric to beef up his responses in a lot of cases. I’m soliciting responses here, so what do you think after reading the answers?
Youth Ask For Answers
I also thought Kerry’s answers were kinda short… maybe his advisors purposefully kept them short to match the shorter attention spans of the 18-35 demographic (you know, reading the answers while waiting for your playstation to load like I did). I know I got lost in some of Bush’s and Nader’s responses, although I was surprised to find out that Nader doesn’t eat hot dogs. And speaking of Nader… I’m pretty sure that if someone asked the candidates what their position’s were on legalizing marijuana he would have criticized George Bush for keeping it illegal. His answers seemed to be way to accommodating. All in all, I wasn’t able to identify a winner and there wasn’t any real substance in their answers. It kinda sounds like this debate took place on-line… although I really wish it was televised. There’s a lot of relevance with 18-35 year old age group and this debate probably deserved more coverage… but what do I know, I’m a Canadian [somehow] voting for Kerry. (Sorry for the long comment)
It’s nothing we’re not hearing already. Same catch-phrases, repeated more frequently as the election draws nearer in hopes that some of them will stick. Ten years from now, no one is going to remember what Kerry or Bush’s stand on the death penalty was, but NOW we’re all going to remember that Ralph Nader doesn’t eat hot dogs.
After spending two ridiculously grueling weeks delving into past administration policies to understand why we are where we are currently, I’m almost tired of hearing anything politically slanted at all.
Kerry hasn’t done anything to really wow me, but I wouldn’t vote for Bush if someone had a gun to my head. Advantage – Kerry.
Chris – Yeah, some of their answers were lost on me too. Frankly, as “cool” as it was for them to involve Nader, I can’t help but feel like he’s the biggest phony of them all. I’ve said it before, but if Nader was half the concerned citizen he says he is, then he would drop out and endorse Kerry.
Ryan – I could not agree more with everything you said. I too have spent weeks upon weeks reading so much political material that I’m just about over the whole thing (especially after last night’s debate). Kerry wowed me a bit in the very beginning, but then he became another well-rehearsed politician. I do think he has a heart and reflects some of the values that I hold. I also think he is the only hope for fixing the middle-east crisis.
Agreed. I think Kerry has a great deal of integrity and heart, and you’re right – he is the only hope of fixing the mess in the middle east. But I’m betting there will be some GOP surprises before Nov. 2. Like Osama bin Lost becoming Osama bin Found. When’s the last time Al-Jazeera got a videotape message from him?
Ryan – Funny you should mention something about Osama popping up just before the election…
Brad, I respect your view that Kerry might be able to unravel the enormous mess that is the Middle East crisis. However, I have to disagree. I’ve heard Kerry spout the obligatory, only-way-to-get-elected-in-this-damn-country spiel characterizing his unconditional love for Israel, but you and I both know, until we have a leader strong enough to deal with the horrific hypocrisy inherent in US support for the human rights stomping Israeli government, we’ll get nowhere in the Middle East. Peace, my friend.
Andrew – Nice of you to chime in. I haven’t heard Kerry spout words of unconditional love for Israel, but I do think Israel should be more of a priority. Assuming Kerry is elected, he would do well to send Clinton over there as an ambassador. I happen to think Israel is pretty key in calming the Middle East. Just out of curiosity, what would you propose and if not Kerry, then who?