CNN planted a question at the debate according to the student who asked it

[pruner]

CNN planted question at debate, student says

Los Angeles Times

NEW YORK -- CNN, which has marketed itself as an outlet for serious news, planted a question about computer preferences at last week's debate of the Democratic presidential candidates, according to the student who posed the query and on Monday wrote about it in an online forum of the Brown (University) Daily Herald.

During the debate, co-sponsored by the nonprofit Rock the Vote organization, Alexandra Trustman asked the candidates whether they preferred the PC or Mac format for their computers.

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/cnn/1103/11cnndebate.html

[La_Serpiente]

1. I don't really care

I mean, if it was the one that sparked the Conferderate flag one, then I would be concerned. But this question is nothing really.

[pruner]

2. how do you know that they didn't plant that one too?

they were obviously trying to steer the debate, so they'd likely plant more than one question.

[0007]

3. I wonder what else could be exposed?

'Tis best if the whore networks would be exclused from something as serious as these debates. The debates are not about entertainment and spam.

[liberalmuse]

4. What a dumbass question.

I mean, if you're going to plant a question, why that one? To make them all look bad simply for answering it? I have to wonder about the other questions, now.

[Neecy]

5. to look 'hip'

CNN apparently thought that asking such a vapid question would appeal to youth.

Interestingly enough, MSNBC ran a little segment with young people the day after the event and they were appalled and embarassed by the silly, softball questions asked.

It's fake to claim that this was a public forum not run by journalists when CNN producers were planting questions and putting pressure on these kids to ask them. Talk about patronizing!

[Orangepeel]

6. product placement?

what were the answers?

[Don Claybrook]

7. "Talking down" to young voters was an issue that was raised

If I'm not mistaken, John Edwards brought this up, and maybe others did as well. The point was made that young voters were taken for granted and often looked-down upon.

Leave it to CNN to try their damndest to continue in that tradition and look down on younger voters by pre-loading them with a ridiculous question such as this.

Who wants to wager that the "who would you like to party with" question was also inserted by some intrepid CNN producer?

We can't have these debates getting too serious--we've got to remain light-hearted to keep the attention of these airhead kids and we have to do lots of cut-and-slash camera work so they don't get bored. That seems to be the attitude.

Does anyone else find this condescending and insulting? I sure do.

[TexasMexican]

8. pretty sad

yeah thats pretty sad, but that being said what were the answers?

I mean they wasted time with that might aswell give up the answers.