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...what would it be? Via The Nation:
At the second annual YearlyKos Convention in Chicago the first week of August, web activists plan to explore new ways to communicate voter concerns to Democratic presidential candidates. The convention's Presidential Leadership Forum --the first candidate gathering for the netroots --seeks to provide an alternative to mainstream media's "gotcha" questions and horse-race coverage. Instead, the plan calls for a thoughtful, inclusive discussion that draws its topics and questions from citizens and activists, voters and nonvoters. Forum moderators will be Matt Bai of the New York Times Magazine and Joan McCarter of Daily Kos; blogger and NYU professor Jeffrey Feldman will ask questions submitted by the public. Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd have all confirmed that they will participate in the two-hour discussion, which will be followed by separate, unstructured meetings with activists attending the convention. The process is designed to spark a thoughtful national discussion that results in a more reflective, substantive and participatory candidate forum.
You can begin the conversation now by suggesting questions, issues, ideas and criticism via this short web form. Bloggers writing original entries are asked to use the tag YKForum07. People interested in launching viral campaigns may float their issues to the top of the forum agenda by posting on blogs or encouraging friends on social networking sites to submit similar questions or topics.
We are serving on an all-volunteer advisory committee of bloggers, grassroots activists and a few former presidential candidates. Members of the committee are now reaching out to voters and activists to discuss ideas and issues that the forum should consider.
As a member of that advisory committee, I am reaching out to all of you: if you could ask the presidential candidates a question, what would it be?
It is tough framing a succinct, meaningful question that doesn't leave wiggle room for spin or a pat soundbite answer, but invites a thoughtful, considered response. I encourage you to add your questions to the mix -- not just in the comments, but on the questions page for the YKos forum as well. This is an extraordinary opportunity to interact with national leaders and shape the discussion on policy and perception, so I encourage you to really think about what it is that you wants answers to for the coming political campaign -- for the good of us all for both the short and long term.
Can't wait to see what you guys come up with...because I know you have a lot of questions worth asking.
PS: I am tentatively scheduled to do Sam Seder's Show on Sunday at 5 pm ET/2 PM PT with Atrios and Digby. Yes, that did feel like a tremor in the force...or was it just punaise?
(Photo via Vanessa Roanhorse.)
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Zed!
From Senator Clinton to the GOP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwfGhoJiXNk
If I could ask GW one question?
How soon can you pack?
Oh, sorry.
GW not a candidate, except for a mental evaluation.
I’m going to have to think some on the questions. So many issues so few words. But, I think I would begin with something like:
Given the revelations of the unprecedented politication of the DOJ, what would you do to restore the public’s faith in it and ensure that justice is applied equitably to all people regardless of political affiliation.
How about:
Since you are campaigning for an office subject to impeachment, could you explain what, in your opinion the founders meant by “high crimes and misdemeanors”?
(Oh, and btw: IMPEACH)
AS President, would you lift the Cuba embargo and normalize political and economic relations?
President Bush issued an executive order allowing presidential records to remain secret for long periods of time. Will you take action to return access to previous levels?
Senator Clinton,
Why have you not denounced James Carville for his supporting a pardon of Lewis Libby?
Do you believe in the legitimacy of the unitary executive theory espoused by the Bush administration? Why or why not?
allan_in_upstate @ 9
I like that one.
Q1 Why do Dems allow the media and GOP to get away with spreading disinformation and outright lies?
Q2 If elected what assurances do we, the American people, have that we won’t be substituting one party of corrupt politicians beholden to special interest groups for another?
nogo war @ 7
I may agree with you that we should do this. I probably do. But I don’t think we should ask candidates if they are willing to commit political suicide in Florida to get some kind of commitment that can be broken in an instant.
Polling indicates that more and more American’s feel insecure about their access to health insurance and their ability to withstand a major medical problem, both physically and financially. What is your plan to deal with this problem.
“What do you think of SiCKO?”
Looking at you Hill…
janda @ 8
Broaden it.
“Which of President Bush’s executive orders and signing statements will you revoke?”
I want a detailed list from each candidate, damn it.
How do you plan on using the unchecked power of the presidency that George Bush has claimed?
Why don’t we have national health care? With all the money we’ve wasted for the war, we could have paid for it twice over.
How can citizen activists help you take back America from its precarious and dangerous situation?
if you could ask the presidential candidates a question, what would it be?
“Do you endorse or reject the Unitary Executive Theory?”
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Ohio Saves the Day!
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.....s-day.html
usa - 1187
fb - 1143
I have not yet begun to fight.
Will you continue to show cleavage as president?
allan_in_upstate @ 9
Technically, he didn’t. The letter to the judge was a request for leniency.
janda @ 14
It’s an important question, but don’t we know the answer? Obama and Edwards have detailed positions on this. Richards, too, and his is particularly disappointing. Hillary has the history, and a good reason for saying that announcing a program and then seeking support hasn’t worked for her. And only Kucinich agrees with my position that we should have a universal, single payer, not-for-profit insurance program. Kucinich’s ambivalence towards abortion may affect its scope, but, as they say, the devil is in the details.
Are you going to restore appropriate-for-a-functioning-democracy, aligned-with-the-Constitution checks and balances ?
My question:
Will you join us in removing this illegal and criminal administration? If not, get out of the way.
Will you repeal the military commissions act and push for the repeal of the PATRIOT act? Or will you leave all the subtile curbs (asset forfiture) on freedom of speech and political action in place?
There have been credible reports by American military officers that prisoners in our control have been subjected to torture. If you are the next President, will you investigate these reports and share the results of the investigation with the American people, or should these reports be ignored?
noen @ 27
A more honest way of framing my question. *g*
How do you intend to address the massive debt incurred by the previous administration?
“Who do you people think you are fooling? Can’t you see that We The People are looking for some real leadership? Why do you persist in acting like such clowns and cowards? Some of you are better than this act you are putting on. Are you really ready to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States’ Why don’t you start right this second?”
Do you believe in the theory of Immaculate Collapse vis a vis WTC 7?
As President, will you support criminal proceedings against the current administration for violating the Geneva Conventions?
Which matters more to you:
a) Your political ambitions.
b) Going to the mat for your country.
Hi Christy
I would very much like to know which candidates will return sovereign rights of the states’ National Guard units back to the states. If I’m not mistaken, BushCo ‘changed’ the law and high-jacked the units for his own use.
BigMitch @ 13
But not having to travel to Paris for a nice Habana Cohiba would be nice.
There once was a man named Vitter
Who vowed he wasn’t a quitter.
But with stories of women,
And all of his sinnin’
His carreer is down in the …….
John F. Kerry.
GOP. We’re going to crush you in ‘08. And you are going to be faced with 16 years of Democrats in the White House and a large Demo majority in the Congress. We are going to expose you. And we are going to deal with the Supreme Court, and the federal courts.
barbara @ 29
Our options are bleak. They are either impeachment or armed resistance. These are the only alternatives left to us after the other day.
We stand on the brink.
Jon @ 25
I would rephrase this as “What will you do to restore constitutional checks and balances?”
“Answering in complete seriousness with no attempt at humor or side-stepping, what is the one question you hope you are not asked on the campaign trail?”
Do you have any sense of urgency to restore our sciences and technology positions and restore some sanity in our interior department?
Unless I am nuts, every Republican nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court has taken a secret pledge to overturn Roe v. Wade, although the vast majority of Americans support a woman’s right to control her own body.
Will you promise to only support candidates for the Supreme Court who have openly committed to protect a woman’s right to have an abortion?
How (specifically) can we minimize the damage during BushCo’s remaining 17 months in office?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 38
You need to read this diary kiddo
coup
it’s… bracing, I think that is the word.
Cozumel @ 22
My bad. I guess James and Cruella won’t be inviting me over for weenies any time soon.
And I had so much wanted to meet Babs.
“What is the most right, yet least popular thing you will do?”
allan_in_upstate at 46 — You aren’t missing much, let me tell you…
The question is: what as president would you propose to take the pressure off the Middle East?
How would you go about ending the shortage of RNs in this country?
Hillary, I’m impressed with the strength of your political skills but I have two concerns about choosing you as our leader;
1. How do you justify a flag-burning amendment to the Consitution when government exists - is empowered by us - to defend our rights not usurp them?
2. Would your military policy be more restrained then G W Bush? Bill Clinton? Jimmy Carter?
2B. Do you support a permanent military presense in Iraq? For what purpose and at what cost?
Two questions:
“Will your foreign policy be based on a diplomatic or militaristic approach? Please describe.”
“What resources, both in personnel and finances, will you dedicate to address our worsening environmental problems, particularly in regards to global climate change?”
Do you believe that the privatization of the Pentagon and the CIA to corporations like Blackwater is a good thing?
Do you believe in separation of powers/checks and balances? Explain.
What will you do to keep the wall up between church and state?
BigMitch @ 24
A lot of people don’t pay serious attention until some of the later debates. These questions still need to get asked.
Actually, I am not in the mood to beg candidates for their indulgence. I am of the opinion that it is quite the other way around.
Candidates should be asking ME questions and the foremost question that should be on their mind is:
“How may I best serve you?”
Get them started with the proper attitude from the start I say.
What is your understanding of a presidential vow to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States?
noen @ 45
I read that. Thankyou. ;0)
Back to being a Serious Person:
Do you think that income and wealth inequalities are problems?
If so, what would you do to deal with them?
Do you believe the President has committed impeachable offenses?
Do you believe Supreme Court justices who lied to Congress during confirmation hearings are subject to impeachment?
What will your Cabinet look like?
BTW, Christy, I see that you have all the time in the world for that “Kos” fella but you can’t visit us in Pittsburgh.
Feh.
:-p
.
O/T
I think the Right Wing (personified by Chris Matthews) wanted Hillary to be the candidate, because they judged her to be the easiest to beat. Lesson: Be careful of what you pray for.
Now, the attack on her, especially the one we discussed below, shows that (1) they realize they got what they wanted, and (2) they are scared.
63% of Americans believe Hillary will win IF she gets the nomination.
barbara @ 58
Yes.
IMO, it is not the President’s task to maintain the balance of power , at least not more than 1/3 of it, the remainder is up to Congress and the Courts.
Similarly, questions about impeachment are not , IMO , germaine.
THe poser to enforce does not rest in the Executive, and the Executive’s opinions are therefore not really germane.
Would you even consider pardoning any member of the current administration if they are charged and convicted of any crimes related to their time in office?
BigMitch @ 64
And Tim Griffin was sure to help.
This is one that stumped Mark Warner at last year’s YKos:
spork at 63 — Give me some time to recover from the almost month-long visit of my in-laws, who went home yesterday, would you? *g*
Off topic, but I’m trying to get this to Christy. Have you begun to think about what affirmative steps could be taken at FDL to prevent what happened to Kos regarding Jet Blue? I believe this will be a new tactic of the right and think we should be prepared in advance. This might mean having public disclaimers regarding comments that are so extreme as to be reckless, monitoring comments on ring-wing blogs and keeping a record of the most extreme, etc…
I’ll go with Barbara’s question on all those other topics.
Another one would be
When is the last time you read the Consititution?
“Where do you get your haircut and how much does it cost? Oh, and what are those two things on your chest?”
;-)
mack @ 66
It may not be the president’s task, but it is definitely incumbent (no pun intended) upon the president to honor and not defy it.
emptywheel @ 69
That isn’t very hard to answer at all and should be patently obvious to anyone.
heh
barbara see my follow up
I might want to know what the proper role of the DLC should be in the Democratic party.
How will you address widening income inequality?
Will you make it a priority to examine all of the executive orders issued by the Bush administration, removing any that are legally or Constitutionally unsound?
This question is pretty easy, but I have a hunch that the answer will be “no.”
How much longer must the good citizens of this great country wait for FDL statehood?
noen @ 75
almost anyone… what’s the answer?
‘Are you willing to roll back the actions of the Bush/Cheney administration to 21 Jan 2001?’
‘Are you willing to protect and defend the Constitution as it stands?’
‘Are you willing to listen to the people of the United States, in preference to corporations and business groups?’
(translation: how much does it take to buy your attention?)
‘Do you believe in a minimum standard of living which includes a living wage, affordable housing and transportation, and affordable healthcare?’
‘What are you going to do about the growing (and extreme) income inequity in the US? When 90 percent of the income goes to 10 percent of the poulation, are you worried about the future health and stability of the country?’
What are your priorities in providing acceptable security for borders, ports and cities?
Christy Hardin Smith @ 70
Well, that’s a *convenient* excuse!
;-)
.
bluejeansntshirt @ 80
state expression: Zed!
P J Evans @ 82
Instead of “are you willing” what about substituting “how will you”
I like these questions.
kirk murphy @ 85
state food: peanut
The entire frame is wrong. We do not ask the questions, they do. We elect our representatives to public office and their one and only thought should be how they can serve the people.
We are not the supplicants, they are.
We hold the power not them.
They should come to us on bended knee and beg for our favor. This is what America is all about.
How will you approach terrorism?
Neil @ 81
Oil.
noen @ 88
Think of this more as a job interview. It’s service, but not servitude.
Ford or Chevy?
This coming Saturday, President Bush will… temporarily hand presidential powers over to Vice President Dick Cheney, the White House said.
noen @ 75
Yep. There’s no way the US would attack a country that already has nukes and has tested them more than once.
Will you push for the return of Etch-a-Sketch production to the continental United States?
Please answer using both dials.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 93
Excellent! Impeach the acting president!!
boxer @ 71
I assume you are talking about the trashing Jet Blue took on the Bill O’bullshit show. At the time, I decided to break with my previous position of not attacking advertisers on reich-wing talk shows because it has free speech implications. In this case, O’reilly called for a boycott of Jet Blue, and so I sent to Applebees an email saying I would never eat in their restuarant again, as long as they advertise on O’reilly. I encouraged other pups to do the same.
what steps will you take to get the money out of politics and give us state-funded elections?
some places to begin:
–corporate control of media
–corporate control of politicians
–military industrial control of budget
Nequals1 @ 91
No, I’ve lost my sense of humor lately. I’m thinking servitude and a very short leash. With plenty of whips for those who stray.
What everybody else said, particularly:
How many powers of the executive branch accumulated in the past 7 years would you intend to keep as President? Any? All?
Do you believe that foreign governments have the right to try to influence American foreign policy? Do these beliefs also apply to the state of Israel?
And finally…boxers or briefs? Or other? (thongs? commando? Depends?)
How will you reassure the world community that the US will not wage additional wars of aggression?
How about this ??
“Do you really think there will be a peaceful transition of governments in Jan. of 2009 ? “
Mojo @ 102
There will be no transition, Bush has no intention of stepping down. After the other day I am fully convinced of this.
There will be another 9-11 and then Bush will declare martial law. The coup will be complete.
emptywheel @ 69
I would expand this to cover Saudi Arabia:
15 of the 19 9/11 terrorists
Half the suicide bombers in Iraq
Backdoor funding of the Sunni insurgency
Rabidly anti-Western educational system
Funding of radical mosques and madrassas throughout the world, including Pakistan
One of only three countries to recognize the Taliban regime when it was in power (the other two were Pakistan and the UAE)
Applebee’s guest relations:
http://applebees.com/GuestLanding.aspx
Are you a member of the Bygones Brigade, or will you seek and empower serious investigations of the current Administration’s lawbreaking, both domestically and internationally?
Ford or Chevy?
Neither Gerry nor Chase were funny.
.
How will you restore our republic’s faith in the Preamble to the Constitution?
BigMitch @ 97
You’re aware that Jet Blue caved and pulled their sponsorship? I’m advocated two things:
1. Formulate an appropriate disclaimer that is attached to all articles/topics posted. This prevents what I think the right will begin to do, now that O’Reily had success, which is, they will visit progressive sites and post extreme and reckless comments, which will in turn be broadcast on places like O’Reily to discredit us.
2. Monitor the extreme comments made on rightwing sites, compile lists, and do our own discrediting/sponsorship pressure.
noen @ 103
Yea.. that’s my point..
With all that has come out lately.. NO plans for leaving Iraq.. etc…etc.. Warnings of a new attack..etc..etc..
It’s not lookin’ good folks..
I pray that I am wrong. !!!!
heh. here are a few. float your fave:
1) Why were the inconsistencies regarding 9/11 never fully vetted? (Bush relatives in charge of security, Bush connections with Saudis, Cheney in charge of NORAD, evidence of thermite use and controlled demo)
2) Why was 9/11 only marginally likened to Pearl Harbor as an instance when the American public was deliberately manipulated into war?
3) Why haven’t Democrats utilized evidence regarding machinations of 9/11 to galvanize Impeachment of all involved parties and prevent further potential damage? Are Democrats personally afraid for themselves and their families?
4) Libby-Plame-DOJ proceedings notwithstanding, why haven’t Democrats utilized the destruction of our health care, public schools, environment and infrastructure systems as slam dunk evidence of BushCo’s Impeachable maladministration?
5) Why haven’t Democrats championed the cause of American citizens who have been targets of domestic terrorism as a result of exercising the right to political dissent?
6) Who is watching the watchers to assure that perverts are not capitalizing on this administration’s obsessive compulsion, paranoia, and pathological need to intrude on the right to self-determination? What accountability would you enact to prevent literal ‘perversions’ of justice? What provisions of BushCo would you repeal?
7) Do you have the integrity to push for campaign finance reform?
The pictures of Bush a while ago holding hands with the little man in a white sheet with head gear- was the little man from Saudi Arabia?
Would you advocate the rollback of the tax cuts of the last 6 years, if the extra income were slated to fund:
Universal health care?
Repairing American infrastructure?
Improving American education?
Funding global “green” initiatives?
On a related topic, do you have any suggestions on how to pay for the accumulated war funding of the past 6 years?
TeddySanFran @ 106
Oh, assuming the Dems take over in 2009 I’m sure it will be all “Let’s not look at the past.”
There are no consequences in American politics.
.