Debate continues as readers take sides

Online readers sound off about ABC’s controversial presidential debate:

When will the media wake up and understand that this is not a “blast from Obama supporters”? Asking questions about flag lapel pins is just as disgraceful as asking John McCain if he ever fathered a black baby, or Hillary Clinton what she was doing in the White House while Bill was with Monica -- Americans want their country back, and we can’t do it as long as the media keep acting this way.

--

Flavor13

--

What happened to the time when presidential debates would focus on issues of national importance and a candidate’s potential policy on global issues? I am so sick of any and everything except the issues most concerning U.S. citizens taking center stage in this election year!

--

Dee

--

ABC has a history of doing this. In 2004, Charles Gibson made a big point of asking John Kerry whether or not he threw away his war medals, a line of questioning spoon-fed to him by Fox News. It looks like the tradition is continuing, as ABC has joined the Clinton News Network and False News in trying to paint Obama as an angry black man not to be trusted.

--

Harry

--

Congratulations to ABC News! At long last, one of the mainstream media outlets has been willing to ask Sen. Obama some tough questions instead of spray-painting him with Teflon. I am so tired of hearing his empty mantra about “change, hope and unity.” In fact, the very junior senator from Illinois has an ultra-liberal voting record that will be exposed by the Republicans during the fall campaign. If Democratic Party activists insist on his nomination, Sen. McCain will seize the center of the political spectrum and, once again, the Democrats will let an election slip through their fingers.

--

graniteman

--

This should be the end of media debates. All debates in future presidential campaigns should be held at universities with professors and other instructors as moderators.

--

Bill

--

George Stephanopoulos should have recused himself as a moderator due to his ties with the Clinton administration and ABC should be ashamed for treating the audience to a tabloid debate. It sure would have been more helpful to hear what a Clinton or Obama presidency would be like. You’ve become a spinoff of an “SNL” bit.

--

MarkD

--

I thought it was the first professional debate we’ve had this entire election cycle. ABC pushed the candidates for the truth, rather than letting them spin their talking points.

--

Wn

--

The American people should be ashamed because they are the ones who continue to digest the media-fed craziness evident in ABC’s “debate.”

--

Gregory