Posted on 09/20/2016 8:40:28 AM PDT by Kaslin
Next week's presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton could determine the outcome of the election. As polls show Trump leading in some swing states and closing the gap in others, it appears the only burden he must overcome is the one Ronald Reagan shared, looking presidential enough that voters trust him with so much power.
The way these debates have usually gone in the past is that the Republican candidate is asked about abortion, gay rights and other social issues and the Democratic candidate is asked about subjects that appeal to a wider range of voters.
Lester Holt, the "NBC Nightly News" anchor, will moderate the first debate. Here are some questions he should ask:
For Clinton: You once supported traditional marriage, but now favor same-sex marriage. Polygamists now want to be next in line to receive legal and cultural approval. Do you oppose polygamy, and if so on what basis? If elected president, how would we know you wouldn't change your mind on this issue?
Follow-up: What is your standard for defining right from wrong?
For Trump: You were pro-choice, you said, until you heard about a baby that was going to be aborted, but wasn't. You called the child a "total superstar." Do you have a utilitarian view of human life -- that a baby is only valuable if it grows up to be a superstar -- or is every life valuable?
For Clinton: You said you would have a "bunch of litmus tests" for Supreme Court nominees, including requiring potential nominees to have a commitment to preserving a woman's right to an abortion. Would you overlook qualified candidates because they oppose abortion?
Also for Clinton: You appear to have an interventionist foreign policy record. What is your standard for sending American forces into battle, especially in the Middle East where nothing ever seems to get resolved?
Follow-up: In one of your emails you praise Sidney Blumenthal's son, Max, for his virulent anti-Semitic and anti-Israel comments, favoring the dismantling of the State of Israel. Since Israel's enemies have also vowed to destroy the only democracy in the Middle East and one of the United States' few allies in the region, as president, would you support the Jewish state or demand that it give up more land to Palestinians when the land it has already relinquished has brought it no closer to peace?
For Trump: Many voters are worried about your praise of Russian president Vladimir Putin, who routinely behaves like the KGB agent he once was. Putin has invaded and occupied territories, censored the news and been accused of murdering his opposition. Why do you admire his leadership? Should you become president, what do you think your public praise of Putin will accomplish that will be in America's interests?
Follow-up: Under what circumstances would you use military force against Russia or our enemies in the Middle East?
For both candidates: North Korea is developing nuclear weapons that will fit on top of missiles capable of reaching the U.S. Would you authorize a missile defense system able to shoot down North Korean missiles, despite China's opposition to such a system?
For Clinton: The federal government took in record amounts of tax money in 2015 -- $3.18 trillion -- but the debt is approaching $20 trillion, and you want to spend more. Why won't you propose cutting programs that aren't working?
For Trump: What agencies and programs would you eliminate or reform?
Public interest for the debates will be at Super Bowl level. These and similar questions would produce the information undecided voters need to cast their votes wisely.
The future of this country hangs in the balance.
You can be they are going to ask him about some very obscure country, city or leader hoping to get a ‘what’s/who’s that?” response.
We need less Holt.
To Clinton: "What curtains will you hang in the Oval Office?"
For Trump: "When did you stop beating your wife?"
First question is for Lester: Lester, who is the last republican presidential candidate you voted for and why?
I am kind of hoping Hillary’s health takes a turn for the worse and they cancel this debate. Seriously, the liberals and the media are begging for a hatchet job on Trump. Even if Holt were somewhat fair, he’s under immense pressure to make Trump look as bad as possible. Heck, his career could be on the line with this debate.
I’ll bet Holt works it in that George H W Bush said he is voting for Hillary.
I believe that Trump will be ready for the gotcha questions and turn them around on Holt. Trump is already on record saying that he thinks there shouldn’t even be a moderator.
I’m looking for Trump to ignore Holt and address Hitlery directly. Trump can use his already firmly planted “rigged election” meme to derail Holt.
Lester, it is said you are the temp[late for the character Franklin of Peanuts fame. Thoughts?
Posted this on another thread; hope I can say it again in this forum since it is more apropo. The Election will be decided next Monday night after the first Debate. I got very nervous last night watching Trump’s interview with Bill O’Reilly talking about the upcomning Debate. Trump was his old self. He dodged questions, gave shallow answers and kept bragging about his poll numbers. It was NOT a good exchange. If he is that way in the Debate, he will lose the Debate and possibly the Election. I’ve been encouraging the Trump camp to get him some professional Debate training. The evil witch is a “seasoned” Debater. I’m very nervous.
First question is for Lester: Lester, who is the last republican presidential candidate you voted for and why?
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Holy moley! That is AWESOME! Trump would do it if you could get that suggestion to him.
Your Post #6 is RIGHT ON!
As president, will you allow your cabinet level officials to conduct official business outside of official and secure government channels? If not, why not? If a member of your cabinet chose to conduct official business outside of official government channels, what discipline would you impose on them? Would you consider them fit to continue in a position of public trust?
The ‘moderators’ will come after Trump in ways that will make Candy Crowley’s vendetta against Romney look like tea at the Ritz ....
They will be gunning for the Donald.
Holt’s first question for Trump: Most Americans think you are not stable enough to be President, do you agree?
Skip the debate, how about a Clinton press conference? Trump should suggest that since Clinton has now found time for a long-overdue press conference, he donates his time to allow the media to question her for a couple hours. need a week to catch up on questions and dig down past the puff, canned answers, but how about a start?
To say a SCOTUS nominee ‘opposes abortion’ is poor wording from Cal Thomas. The questions isn’t whether or not a candidate personally opposes or supports abortion, it’s what they think the Constitution says on the matter. Should the made-up right created in Roe persist, or should the matter return to the states where it belongs?
moLester Dolt is a flaming leftist. Hillary will get softballs and Trump will get “When did you stop beating your wife?” questions.
For Clinton:
1. When you collapsed this year on 9/11, did you retain consciousness and are you dealing with any kind of brain injury?
2. Since the Clinton Foundation considers donations for “encouraging governments to provide for health and well-being” to be charity, does that mean a foundation gift to a politician is considered to be charitable giving and counted as charitable giving?
Trump:
1. As the child of a legal immigrant from Scotland, do you think anchor babies should be considered illegal immigrants and how would you change that if you do?
2. It is almost a dictum of war that air power alone does not succeed in winning a war except against a landlocked nation surrounded by enemies. Iraq is neither landlocked nor surrounded by enemies. Do you consider “no boots on the ground” to be a political phrase and not a realistic military strategy?
. I’m very nervous. <<
Sit in the truck and assume the fetal position.....We’ll tell ya when its safe to come out...
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