"Good Morning America" has scheduled a second town-hall style special with a presidential candidate and, unsurprisingly, the recipient is another Democrat. 2008 contender John Edwards will appear on Monday, July 16 to discuss poverty with ABC co-host Diane Sawyer.
Readers of NewsBusters will remember that the last such event, anchored by Robin Roberts and airing March 26, featured Hillary Clinton for almost 30 minutes worth of softball questions. Also, the New York senator spoke, unchallenged, for 18 of her 26 minutes of air time. Co-host Roberts told Clinton that "many" thought her 1993 plan for universal health care was "ahead of its time." Two questions come to mind: Will John Edwards receive similarly easy queries? And when will "Good Morning America" feature a Republcian presidential candidate in this forum?
For those NewsBusters readers interested in participating, GMA’s website allows viewers to submit questions and videos to Mr. Edwards.
However, it should be pointed out that the Clinton interview featured gushing queries from a doctor who just happened to be on former First Lady’s 1993 universal health care task force:
Robin Roberts: "What you said then in, in ‘93, many people felt it was just, in some ways, ahead of its, ahead of its time. Somebody that was there and wants to ask you what is different now, between what happened then, and he is Dr. Steve Eckstat. He is, he works at the free clinic of Iowa. Doctor?"
Clinton: "Hello, doctor."
Dr. Steve Eckstat: "Morning. In 1993, I was a member of the Clinton Health Care Task Force when we were attempting to provide universal health care coverage of all Americans. We were unsuccessful, unsuccessful then and now the number of uninsured, 80 percent of whom are working families and individuals, has risen from 23 million in 1993 to over 46 million. If elected president, Senator Clinton, would you be willing to try again to provide universal health care coverage for all Americans and make that at priority for your administration?"
So, perhaps it’s not a good idea for NB readers to have high hopes that their questions will be selected.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
Fairness doctrine?
July 11, 2007 - 12:05 ET by pgrossjrToo obvious. Or will it only apply to radio?
Fairness Doctorine
July 11, 2007 - 12:11 ET by kbworkmanLike everything else for the libs, It's more of a guideline.
They are the ones who decide if it is fair. As long as the direction goes where they want it to go, it is fair and they don't really need and opposing view.
Since the opposing view come from nut cases, we don't need to listen to them, do we?
Submit Questions
July 12, 2007 - 20:00 ET by billbI submitted this question for the upcoming Edwards/ABC softball event: "The war on terror has been going on for 6 years and the public not seeing much progress, wants a change of direction. The war on poverty has been going on for almost 50 years without much progress. Shouldn't we have a change of direction?" They replied to me asking me to submit a video of the question. I refused...I don't think I would want to be made a fool of by some clever editor.
Texas, with it new law limiti
July 11, 2007 - 12:10 ET by JayTeeTexas, with it new law limiting Medical Mal-Practice lawsuits, followed by it's instant Growth in Doctors applying for Licenses to MOVE TO TEXAS, and it's total lack of State Income Taxes, may be the Next Big Thingk for Universal Health Care.
After all, it's already givng free healthcare to 10% of the Population of Mexico.
Looks like Hillary's concept is "muy mal" as it may only be for American Citizens.......then where will the 12 million Illegals be able to get Free Healthcare ? Oh....the Amnesty thingie that didn't pass was supposed to fix that...oops, try again Congress, I will enjoy talking to my Representative again.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
For a moment there I thought
July 11, 2007 - 12:58 ET by Dad GummitFor a moment there I thought you might be from Texas, Jay. But you mentioned "12 million illegals in the U.S." I believe there are at least that many in Texas alone. There are no public places anymore where you hear as much English as Spanish.
"If you don't read a newspaper, you are uninformed. If you do read a newspaper, you are mis-informed."-Mark Twain
Dad Gummer ...Yes, I am from
July 11, 2007 - 16:35 ET by JayTeeDad Gummer ...Yes, I am from Texas...but i had to leave becasue I work with computers, and used to work for the Oil Companies.... but now they have gone "OFFSHORE" for all their Computer Software needs. No Software jobs with Exxon in Texas unless you're from India and willing to work in Bangalore.
I like Mexicans, they can't write code.
I don't like H1B Visa's because they undercut Salaries for American high Tech Graduates, and then I have to Train them on the Job.
I dont' like Congressmen, Illegal Aliens, and 40,000 more H1B Visas than we need....... You can call me a Texan, or you can call me a Bigot, but don't ever call me a Politician......I'll Slap you like Katie Kouric.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
H1B Visas suck
July 11, 2007 - 16:38 ET by LionKingThese work Visas are over used and abused.
"provide universal healt
July 11, 2007 - 13:17 ET by Darth Dutch"provide universal health care coverage for all Americans"
Let's assume that we get universal health care at some point in the future. Does anyone seriously believe that coverage will only extend to legal residents and NOT to illegal aliens? Even if the law is written that way, we all know some judge will overrule it.
Dutch
"...only extend to leg
July 12, 2007 - 20:07 ET by MightyMouth"...only extend to legal residents and NOT to illegal aliens?"
Dutch, here in Texas the illegals already have "universal health care", it's called the Hospital Emergency Room!
btw. has anyone noticed that spell check is working on NB?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...