In the new political paradigm, where candidates receive questions from moderators, Facebook, Twitter, or just get yelled at by annoying ass activists, a new pattern has emerged. The entire debate can be blamed on the candidates and their party. At least, that's what the Democrat reaction to the Republican debates on Fox News suggests. Bernie Sanders slams them for not discussing climate change or income inequality. Jennifer Granholm slams them on Real Time with Bill Maher for never discussing the middle class. They seem absolutely stunned that the content was entirely controlled by the moderators of the debate and not the candidates.
This is effectively victim blaming. Slut shaming. Fox News asked them questions on particular topics, and it's somehow the candidates fault for encouraging Megyn Kelly and Bret Baier and Chris Wallace and Random People On Facebook Who Sent In Questions. Democrats are implying that Republicans should have known better than to let the reporters control their own debate, and instead should have spent the whole time pontificating on social justice.
It's not clear how we can blame candidates for the content. Candidates can't just say no to questions. If they don't answer, it makes them look worse. Unless it's Newt Gingrich being asked about his personal life. The only way they could possibly be responsible is if they picked the questions themselves. That would defeat the purpose of the debate.
Not every news outlet will cover every topic. Each outlet has their own preferences, their own audience, their own biases. Go on Fox and get asked about God and guns. Go on MSNBC and get asked about the merits of wealth redistribution (as long as the wealth being redistributed comes businessmen and not from actors or musicians or athletes) and "white supremacy". Go on MTV and get asked about boxers or briefs.
So it's a mystery why anyone would complain when the Republican candidates have not been discussing what the Democrats want them to. If your preferred topic wasn't discussed, it just means you're watching the wrong news channel. It's not the candidate's fault for answering what's asked. It's your fault for being too lazy to use the remote.
I suppose any Republicans who are annoyed by this could take comfort in the fact that the tables will be turned after the Democrat debate. If the Democrats fail to address Republican concerns, I fully expect the press and politicians and activists to let them have it. Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and the others must be heavily criticized for these things they have no control over. After all, that's what happens with Republicans. Failure to do so would mean the media does not care about real justice.
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