THE QUESTIONS DEBATE MODERATORS FORGET TO ASK

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MEDIA MATTERS - Through 17 debates this year, roughly 1,500 questions
have been asked of the two parties' presidential candidates. But only a
small handful of questions have touched on the candidates' views on
executive power, the Constitution, torture, wiretapping, or other civil
liberties concerns.

Only one question about wiretapping. Not a single question about FISA.

There has, however, been a question about whether the Constitution
should be changed to allow Arnold Schwarzenegger to be president.

Not one question about renditions. The words "habeas corpus" have not
once been spoken by a debate moderator. Candidates have not been asked
about telecom liability.

But there was this illuminating question, asked of a group of
Republicans running for president: "Seriously, would it be good for
America to have Bill Clinton back living in the White House?"

Though Republicans often claim that the Bush administration's
warrantless wiretapping of Americans is necessary to prevent "another
9-11," debate moderators have not once asked candidates about recent
revelations that suggest the administration began its surveillance
efforts long before the September 11, 2001, attacks, not in response to
them.

But NBC's Brian Williams did ask the Democratic candidates what they
would "go as" for Halloween.

No moderator has asked a single question of a single candidate about
whether the president should be able to order the indefinite detention
of an American citizen, without charging the prisoner with any crime.

But Tim Russert did ask Congressman Dennis Kucinich -- in what he felt
compelled to insist was "a serious question" -- whether he has seen a
UFO.

No moderator has asked a single question about whether the candidates
agree with the Bush administration's rather skeptical view of
congressional oversight.

But Hillary Clinton was asked, "Do you prefer diamonds or pearls?"

http://mediamatters.org/items/200711170002/??/

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