The 2008 Debates: Waiting to Exhale

Below the Belt: A Column by NOW President Kim Gandy

October 03, 2008

A few days ago I asked a prominent pollster whether I could stop hyperventilating about the election -- "Not a chance!" was the immediate reply. But at least the 2008 vice presidential debate is over, and we can exhale briefly.

GOP nominee Gov. Sarah Palin didn't have a major meltdown in front of millions, as many feared after her unfortunate Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson interviews. And Democratic nominee Sen. Joe Biden didn't make any embarrassing gaffes or blather on, as the media warned that he might.

I think most feminists would concede that it was better for womankind that Palin did not fail miserably, especially considering the hype of low expectations, even from conservatives. That said -- and you knew this was coming -- the title of "winner" should not be the person who merely managed to avoid disaster, the person who wowed 'em with folksy charm and go-to sound bites. Last night was no contest in terms of the substance battle, and who answered the question of who can best govern our country. That was Joe Biden.

If anything, Sarah Palin carried her party and her ticket into dangerous territory, where the word "maverick" is now threatening to become a joke, where not responding to the questions you're asked looks more slick than spunky. I twittered during the debate that it was a good thing C-SPAN posted the questions on-screen, because you couldn't tell what the moderator asked, based on Palin's answers.

Unlike the three presidential debates, all of which are being presided over by white men over 65, it was nice to see a woman of color moderating the VP debate. But I do wish PBS's Gwen Ifill had found time to ask about more issues important to women. Don't get me wrong, the economy is very important to women, who earn less than men and are more likely to live with their children in poverty. And women care very much about the war in Iraq and the return of our troops.

And I would have liked to hear Ifill question Palin about her recent statements on reproductive rights. Palin's answers to questions from Couric on abortion and contraception addressed only what she herself would choose and what she would counsel others to choose. She did not make clear at all whether she believes the law of the land should allow all women the right to make their own decisions in planning their families, nor did she articulate McCain's positions.

As the number two person running on the GOP ticket, and a self-professed member of anti-abortion groups, it's pretty obvious that Palin supports the reversal of Roe v. Wade, as does John McCain -- but how long does she think women should be jailed for violating an abortion ban? How long should her doctor be imprisoned?

Of course there are lots of questions I would have been pleased to hear last night, but I realize that there was only one VP debate. Hey, there are three presidential debates -- how about a shout out to women in one of those? There may be hope yet . . .

So this time, let's ask YOUR questions.

Yep, this time you could have your question asked -- so keep reading. The second presidential debate is on Oct. 7, and I'm definitely looking forward to it. The first one was impressively substantive and serious, but women's issues weren't exactly on the agenda. This coming Tuesday's town hall-style debate has no excuse-as a debate of the people, it simply must address issues specific to women (we're more than half the population, you know).

And what better way to ensure that such questions are asked, than for you and me to suggest them. Somewhat like the "YouTube" debates during the primaries, the questions for the second presidential debate will come from the audience and the Internet.

Last month NOW joined with other groups in a letter to both Obama and McCain, urging "open" debates. The letter -- signed by a broad coalition from both sides of the aisle -- calls for the candidates to "make this year's presidential debates more 'of the people' than ever before by bringing them more fully into the Internet age."

One way of achieving this is for the networks airing the debates to make the footage available to the public so that the content of the debates can be shared and discussed freely. The letter's second request urges that the questions originating from the Internet be chosen from those that rise to the top through "bubble up" voting technology. This technology puts more power in the hands of voters.

At the primary season's YouTube debates, the questions that came from the Internet were chosen entirely by TV producers. Some were clearly selected because they were cute, funny, gimmicky, or provocative. It's true, the media can't resist a talking snowman-even when the future of our country is on the line. So, bubble up technology would allow the best questions to rise to the top, as determined by the people.

Vote TODAY -- suggest the questions you want to have asked.

Today -- Friday, Oct. 3 -- is the last day to submit questions, so as soon as you're done reading this column, follow the link at the bottom to the "MyDebates" website.

What kind of questions do I hope bubble to the top? Of course I think there should be an entire debate on women's issues, but efforts to organize one were unfruitful, despite a commitment of support from Lifetime TV. So, here are a few of questions I would ask if I was moderating a debate:

> Do you believe that all women should have access to a full range of reproductive health services that include abortion and emergency contraception? If so, does your healthcare plan cover these services?

> What legislation would you support to ensure equal pay for women in the workplace? What legislation would you promote to help women balance work and family?

> Do you believe that Title IX deserves to be protected and why or why not?

> As president, how can you make ending violence against women a priority? What can our government do to prevent and address violence against women, both here and abroad?

> Name two specific steps that the president can take to validate women's civil and human rights?

> If you believe that abortion should be illegal, what penalties do you believe should be enacted and enforced against women and doctors who would break the law?

> Where do you stand on government funding of abstinence-only sex education in schools?

> Would you repeal the global gag rule that restricts family planning funding, and if so, how soon upon entering office? Would you restore funding to the United Nations Population Fund and why or why not?

> How would you propose that this country help women lift themselves and their families out of poverty?

> How can our nation better guarantee equal rights for LGBT people? What policies will you support in this area?

> Do you support our current Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which prohibits loyal soldiers from serving their country in the military if they are openly gay or lesbian, and why or why not?

> How can the United States move toward a more equitable immigration policy, and in what ways does our current policy disproportionately affect immigrant women and children?

> What Supreme Court justices do you most admire and why?

> Why should women vote for you -- how will your presidency improve their lives and the lives of their families?

I'd love to see how Obama and McCain would answer all those questions, wouldn't you? With your help, hopefully they will have to answer at least one or two of them on Tuesday.

Submit your questions by Oct. 3 at: http://www.myspace.com/mydebates

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