So, you want to be president?
We have a few questions you need to answer
By Tim Wilson
If you were hiring someone for an important job, would you want to hear what they think about other candidates for the position or what the other candidates had to say?
Would you continue to consider them for the job if they repeatedly refused to answer your question on a subject and instead rambled on about an entirely different topic?
Of course you wouldn’t. Then why do we do exactly that with candidates for the job of president of the United States?
It’s about time we ended the practice of presidential candidates engaging in debates that are anything but an actual debate. Instead, we should put them through an extended job interview for all to see.
The current so-called debate format results in candidates spending more time responding to what their opponent said than answering a question if they answer the question at all. More often than not, if they do speak to the subject of a question, it’s in the form of an attack on the other candidate.
How about they answer a question by telling us what they think and what they would do?
Give us 90 minutes with one candidate grilled by a panel of journalists from a variety of news outlets. If a candidate veers into talking about issue B when asked about issue A, he or she should be interrupted, their mic muted, and the question repeated. Do it again and the panel moves on to the next question. This doesn’t get the question answered but it gives voters ample opportunity to see a candidate act like a horse’s ass.
As for fact checking, it should be done in real time with a horn and red light going off anytime a candidate offers up a blatant lie. An interview “referee” not on the panel would then provide the truth with a source cited, including video evidence that contradicts a candidate’s claim.
If candidates and their supporters don’t like interruptions and corrections, the solution is simple. Stay on topic and don’t lie.
Should there be multiple “candidate interviews”? Yes. Because maybe after getting embarrassed the first time around a candidate might relent and answer the questions. What if they don’t? Well, that may tell voters more about the candidate than any answers to questions.
Finally, I would end the interviews by thanking the candidates for their time and telling them the American people will get back to them about their candidacy for the job on Election Day, and that decision will be final.
About the author: Tim Wilson is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts. He is passionate about his family, Marquette University, bicycling and all Boston sports.