IN OUR OPINION: Demanding Diligence Imagining a great election is made harder and harder every day. Demanding a great election—and diligence on the part of our media and our candidates—has become more and more necessary. When the financial crisis is described as the worse global crisis since the Depression, when this back drop has caused one of the country’s largest banks to be solvent on Friday and out of existence the following Monday, when we are told that our savings and pensions are at risk of disappearing, when Congress is battling within party lines in unprecedented intensity and hostility, we as Americans have what would seem to be an opportunity to hear the views of the two candidates who would be vice president on important issues.
Not if some reporters and analysts have their way. No, Americans, if many reporters and talking heads have their way, the debate will be nothing more than style points. They are betting on our being so shallow that we really do not care about either of these candidates’ ability to serve in case the president is unavailable. No, these people have the audacity to suggest that one candidate is hampered because he knows a great deal about foreign policy and the economy. Therefore, he would appear to be bullying the candidate whom they say does not know much or have much relevant experience.
This debate is not entertainment by which the news industry profits. This debate is for the benefit of our democracy, which—we have been told—is on the brink of a depression. This debate is for the benefit of Americans who are told they are about to lose their pensions, savings and jobs if they have not already done so.
If one candidate knows more about the important issues of our day he or she has a duty to say so. To fail to do so is an affront to the American people.
While Joe Biden has filed his disclosure statements, but Sarah Palin asked for an extension until after the debate. The FEC granted that extension. On this day in our history, it is time for full and timely disclosure by all candidates. This debate is no time to hide behind a technicality. Since any candidate for vice president vouches for his or her ability to handle the intricacies of global finance, any candidate for vice president should know their financial facts in real time.
Those in the media ought to demand more from our candidates. Especially at this critical time in our history, Americans deserve much more than what the media—or some of our candidates—are willing to provide.