Issues? Where Are The Issues?

Issues? Where Are The Issues?
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano

If anyone actually doubts that the mainstream media is biased against conservatives, they need look no further than the candidates' debates to discern the truth for themselves. During the recent Gore/Bradley debates, viewers were treated to lengthy dissertations on just how these men were going to expand the government and how they were going to spend more of our tax dollars. Of course, this massive expansion, encroaching upon our liberty and crawling further into our pocketbooks, was framed in pretty prose -- all in the name of "helping us." The Democrats were given open-ended, softball questions to which they could spout any manner of nonsense completely unchallenged.

Conversely, during the recent California Republican Debate between Governor Bush, Dr. Keyes, and Senator McCain, the most notable things missing were the issues. Some 22 minutes into the one-hour debate had passed and the only question of substance raised: gun control.

The question was phrased in such a way that if Governor Bush indicated he was against trigger locks, he would be branded a "mean Republican." Never mind that our right to keep and bare arms wasn't written expressly for such trivialities as duck-hunting or home defense; it was written to ensure our ability to rise up against a tyrannical government. According to the media, every little step towards the erosion of that right is seen as 'good,' while those who stand against such steps are 'bad.'

What else took place in those 22 minutes? To Governor Bush's right -- visually -- was a televised Senator McCain, who wasted countless precious minutes not only elaborating on the tension between the candidates, but actually whining about it. He alleged that he wanted to address the issues, only to use the moments allowed to throw a pathetic, albeit controlled, temper tantrum.

To Governor Bush's left was Dr. Alan Keyes, shaking his head in abject disgust. Dr. Keyes has long asserted that neither Governor Bush nor Senator McCain possesses the ability to articulate the moral challenge facing Americans, or the ability to adequately defend the conservative position on these issues -- thus ensuring a Democratic victory in November. If Senator McCain's pandering performance was any indication of his future debating skills, Dr. Keyes's assertion will certainly become fact.

In the middle was Governor Bush, bravely attempting to interject some of his key points and accomplishments into the muddle.

Then came the sad allegation that Governor Bush was somehow a puppet of the Christian Right. Ironic, isn't it, that Christian conservatives were initially fretting over a Bush candidacy because they viewed him as too moderate? The only folks concerned about his support from the Christian right are the liberals, the very same group that claims the mantle of 'inclusion.'

Moreover, the media still hasn't adequately explained why the basic tenets of Christianity (embodied in the 10 Commandments) -- including respecting life, honoring authority, not killing, not lying, not cheating, not stealing, or fidelity in marriage -- are specifically "Christian" values. Do they actually believe only Christians assert these ideals? Since the terms "Christian right" or "Christian conservative" are met with such disdain by the mainstream media, are we to presume that non-Christians don't respect life, truth, integrity, dignity, and fidelity?

An offensive presumption, of course, but they cling to it with impunity.

Next came the most ridiculous question of the debate: why was Dr. Keyes staying in the race? Dr. Keyes afforded that stupid question the fleeting moment of recognition it deserved: just enough to shred it and then dismiss it. After ignoring his candidacy for months, the media recognized it only to trivialize it. Apparently a candidacy based on furthering constitutional principles is lost on individuals who spent more time studying the Communist Manifesto than our country's foundation documents.

Still, it was not a surprise. The media did the exact same thing to Senator Dole during the 1996 campaign, when commentators and interviewers continually asked him what he would do if he didn't win the White House. The implication was obvious; they didn't think he would win, so why should anyone have treated his candidacy seriously?

So, where were the questions about Chinagate and China's latest threats against America? Where were the questions about the rising Taiwan tensions and our increasing vulnerability? Where were the questions about medical reform, tax cuts, education choices, or improving our national defense? Where were the questions about the 1996 campaign finance scandals and Hsia’s trial? Where were the questions about Russia? Where were the questions about trade, agriculture, or the environment? Where were the questions about hate crimes, gay rights, or streamlining the adoption process to encourage a choice for life?

They were lost amidst the media's intense efforts to unearth Senator McCain's charges of dirty campaigning, Governor Bush's alleged ties with the Christian right, and Dr. Keyes's "little elephant."