...only in America...

So i watched the debate yesterday and i couldn't believe that more than the first 45 minutes were wasted with non-real-issue questions. While I expected questions about Obama's „bitter“ comments I thought both the Wright- and the Bosnia-issue would be dead by now. The worst question of the night, however, was the one about the flag lapel pin. Give me a break! Maybe I really don't get it, but last time I checked the U.S. had quite bigger problems.

Some of the real issues have been talked to death. However, ABC could have asked so many interesting questions that have not been addressed properly, yet. Everyone is talking about Iraq. What about Afganistan - how long does the U.S. intend to stay there? ABC gave the candidates 1 minute to address the growing gas prices, another important issue. How would they address the growing food prices? How do the candidates intend to get rid of the huge deficit that Bush is responsible for? What is the candidates stance on Bush's disastrous speech about stopping the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, which pretty much contradicts the policy of nearly everyone else in the world.

What we saw yesterday was an example of bad media performance while a lot is at stake. I tried to imagine a non-issue-45-minute debate in the German media during our elections and came to the conclusion that it just wouldn't happen. I know I'll sound like an "elitist" and snobby European but let me just say it with the words of Huevos: Only in America...

I'm interested in the opinion of the 4KS-community about the debate...