To begin with, it amazes me how little attention was given to the open mike comments between Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards. One really had to dig to find anything about it, and I wonder, is this one more ‘cover up‘ by the media, to show its bias?

Both Clinton & Edwards were caught discussing getting together to have less people in the debates. Edwards is claiming he thinks there should be smaller groups, but not limit the number of participants overall, just in some debates. Clinton won’t be specific. And there is why I find her dangerous. She is not willing to be upfront, and the mark of a real leader, is to accept responsibilities.

Representative Dennis J. Kucinich accused two of the major contenders for the Democratic nomination, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards, of participating in a “conspiracy to rig the presidential election,” after they apparently suggested that future presidential debates should be pared down to include fewer candidates. (source)

The complaint by these two supposed ‘leaders‘ is that candidates are not getting enough time to respond, that it is turning into a sound bite contest. Fair enough, and true enough however the answer is rather simple. Expand the time for the debates. Let’s have some real debates, and let the candidates go at it, but then that is just wishful thinking.

Hilary Clinton isn’t interested in having open and honest debate. She thrives on the 20 second sound bites, because the reality is, she has not real plan on how to solve any of the myriad of problems that will face the winner in 2008. She talks a good game, but she isn’t about to let go of her interests in India, or with the Tech Industry. After all, they are funding her campaign, so why should she? It is also why she really doesn’t want a wide open debate, or have others involved. Too many might actually start to question her and she obviously has no answers.

The whole purpose, of this campaign beginning so early, is to give everyone an opportunity. I agree, given the current debate formats, that isn’t happening. Expand the format, not limit the participation. Add 90 minutes, or let it run until the debates end. Let the candidates speak, let them answer the questions and be questioned fully. No side stepping allowed, which current formats allow for, in fact encourage.

Yes, 20 second sound bites, raising of hands, is grade school crap. It isn’t fitting for choosing a Presidential Nominee, but the answer isn’t to go to the back rooms, to limit the number of choices, and to limit the time. That didn’t work back then, and sure isn’t going to work now. Yet that is exactly what Senator Clinton seems to favour, along with John Edwards.

With voter ratings of elected officials at record lows, you have to wonder at the nerve of people like Senator Clinton, Edwards. To even think of trying to limit the group, when people are demanding more from their officials, more openness, is just callous and shows absolute disregard for the voter. Yet mainstream media is ignoring the comments, when they should be screaming blue murder. Course, the advertisers wouldn’t like that, and that is who the media represents these days. News is not news, just what the advertisers feel is fit to be heard.

Exactly what Senator Clinton and John Edwards have in mind for the Presidential Debates.

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Hilary Clinton Campaign Site

John Edwards Campaign Site