Bob Shafer on CNN: "I will ask about BS issues in debate."

[edhopper]

Just now on CNN Shafer said that he wants to ask about other domestic issues that are getting lost in the Bailout News.
Healthcare? Nope. Infrastructure? Nope. Income disparity and wage loss? Nope.
The issues he thinks are important,, Immigration and Social Security Reform. BS rightwing issues, that's what we will have in the Oct. 15th debate. I hope Obama prepares for this crap.

[emulatorloo]

1. Both of those issue are good for Obama - McCain wanted to put Social Security in the Stock Market!

EOM

[gateley]

3. Immigration could be iffy --

that's a hot topic with the Reps. Or at least it was before our economy came crashing down. I remember when it was THE topic of the Republican debates.

[GarbagemanLB]

4. ...and McCain has problems with that issue as well. I'd say we're in good shape.

[gateley]

6. Good to hear -- thanks. nt

[TheWraith]

16. Remember that McCain no longer supports his own immigration proposal. nt

[gateley]

17. You can't hear me, but I'm laughing aloud! nt

[Heather MC]

15. Exactly, considering that he said North Koreans were 3 inches shorter than south Koreans

I wonder I just wonder, what he thinks about Mexicans???

[Inuca]

2. Immigration and SS reform are NOT BS issuess n/t

[edhopper]

11. How so?

SS is solvent till 2075. What makes immigration more than a minor issue, along the lines of earmarks, compared to Health Care or Infrastructure?

[maui9002]

18. Those issues are important to voters

Whether progressives think these are key issues or not, these issues are very important to many voters. On social security, and more particularly on Medicare/Medicaid, we have an enormous unfunded liability that needs to be addressed--sooner rather than later--and I'd prefer progressives to get out ahead of the issue while they can by proposing what I'll call "tweaks" to the system to ensure its viability (such as increasing the retirement age, increasing the cap on income taxed for FICA while simultaneously lowering the rate, easing back on COLA adjustments on a phased in basis, etc.) If progressives don't, we run the risk, in my opinion, of having the privatized accounts (a position supported by John McCain) being put back on the table.

On immigration, believe me, I share your thoughts; immigration is an issue that should have been resolved some time ago but for the "no amnesty" crowd. But it's an issue nonetheless, and if you're not on top of this as a candidate, you can get killed by the build the fence and throw them out crowd. I'm in Arizona, and I can't tell you how many people here feel that way, even after I've explained to them how important immigrant labor is to the state's economy, which perhaps not coincidentally, has been struggling since the immigration issue became so hot. No doubt, Arizona would be experiencing economic difficulties despite the immigrant issue, but the exodus of immigrants in Arizona has exacerbated the problem in my view.

[edhopper]

19. These are important to voters

because the right wing and Lou Dobbs for the world have made them so. They are far from the most important issues, and if Shaeffer makes this a debate based on RW talking points it isn't good for Obama.
Remeber that's what happen in the Gibson debate.

[edhopper]

20. These are important to voters

because the right wing and Lou Dobbs for the world have made them so. They are far from the most important issues, and if Shaeffer makes this a debate based on RW talking points it isn't good for Obama.
Remeber that's what happen in the Gibson debate.

[MSU_Spartans]

5. SS, McCain was wrong. Immigration, McCain has flip flopped

It doesn't matter, McCain is behind in this debate. His whole career he has just voted as told on domestic issues. He's never understood them.

[edhopper]

13. He's wrong on offshore drilling too.

Unfortunately most Americans agree with him. Being wrong and getting votes are two different things.

[LynneSin]

7. This is what I read: "McCain said Sarah is only prepared to answer these questions"

:grr:

[ginnyinWI]

8. do you mean Bob Schieffer? nt

[edhopper]

12. Yes

my bad

[weezie1317]

9. Social Security is tied to the economy. Obama can bring in his main platform in those questions. ()

[MarjorieG]

10. Schieffer was good Sunday, but reverts to 2004 soft ball framing he did for Bush with this.

Unless the economic is gone over thoroughly in the second.

[Alter Ego]

14. SS Reform will be a win for Obama--no one, I repeat--no one wants to "reform"

Social Security outside of the most rightwing of Repubs.

[rvablue]

21. Him openly talking about what type of questions he is going to ask is BS

This is a way for him to let his old pal McCain know where to study up.

He and Tom Brokaw went to John McCain's birthday party during the 2004 Republican Convention (per the NYT).

It was describes as an intimate event.

These two have no business moderating either of these debates.