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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Candidates answer frank questions


Democratic presidential hopefuls listen to a question from the Rev. Reggie Longcrier, of Hickory, N.C., during  Monday's debate. Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Christi Parsons and John Mccormick Chicago Tribune

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Democratic candidates for president took some of the most direct, unvarnished and at times rude questions of the race at their Monday night debate, thanks to a new format that put the questioning in the hands of American voters who sent in home videos through the Internet.

Is Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., authentically black? Is Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., sufficiently feminine by American standards, or so feminine that Arab leaders could never take her seriously?

Is former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., emulating historic racists by using his Baptist upbringing as an explanation for his position on gay marriage? Would he support reparations for slavery or just be “dipping and dodging” the question?

In the style of practiced debaters, the Democrats received the questions graciously – thanking the questioners for even the most cutting of inquiries – and then generally tried to reframe them to fit their talking points.

But something else happened at the so-called “YouTube Debate” on CNN, the first ever in which questions were posed by people who sent them via the Google-owned site in the form of home videos.

Candidates gave a few answers previously unheard in this long summer of debates and forums, on an array of topics that Americans evidently think about but which panelists rarely broach in the button-down format of the traditional debate.

Highlights included Obama asserting that he never has to explain how black he is when trying to catch a cab. Clinton said she wouldn’t use the word “liberal” to describe her politics but rather prefers the term “progressive.”

Edwards said he feels “enormous conflict” as he wrestles with his religious faith and his feelings about gay marriage, which he does not support. The question came from a black minister who pointed out that religion was used to justify slavery, segregation and denying women the right to vote, and then said, “Why is it still acceptable to use religion to deny gay Americans their full and equal rights?”

All of the eight candidates except Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said they do not support reparations for the descendants of American slaves, and everyone on the stage said they think it’s a good idea for young women to register for the draft at age 18 just as their male peers must. None supports the institution of a draft.