by CKR
I’d like to thank all those who suggested questions, here, and at Blue Force and Crooked Timber.
I liked most of the questions, so I’ll take a set of first-string questions with backups.
The first string:
For Russert: Do you feel that you have any responsibility for the state of civil discourse in this nation? (Paul at Crooked Timber) For example, why do you talk about Representative Murtha as "the formerly pro-military congressman" as if being against the Iraq war is somehow anti-military? (J. at WhirledView) Or another example, equating Michael Moore to Osama bin Laden? (Paul at Blue Force)
For Noonan: How does Bush’s record rank against Nixon’s? Is Bush better or worse as a president than Nixon was in foreign and domestic policy and in civil liberties? (Kevin Hayden at WhirledView)
For Barnes: Reviews of your book have generally said that it is unquestioning and repetitious praise for President Bush. I’d like to ask you to compare Bush’s record with Nixon’s. (variant on Kevin Hayden’s question.)
The backup:
I think that the theme of civil discourse is important, particularly in view of the topic of the conference, Ethics and the Media. I’ll keep this in mind as I listen to what these luminaries have to say and try to work it into as many questions as I can.
I’d also like to work something in about fact-checking and the blogosphere, but my thoughts on this haven’t formed up yet. (Example of some of that thinking here.)
I like this question from anonymous at Blue Force:
Over the last five years, how much has your employer and its parent company(s) spent on lobbying and what is the value of the resulting tax cuts, tax breaks, federal contracts and favorable legislation? What is the value, personally, to the top five corporate officers? How much do you think this would differ if Gore's election victory had been properly recognized?
and this one from Timothy at Blue Force:
Back in April 2004, Fred Barnes predicted on a Fox News round-table that Moqtada al Sadr would be finished off by either US forces or the Iraqis in a matter of days. This was during the Shiite insurgency in Najaf. I cant find the exact quote, maybe it's in nexis/lexis.I would ask Barnes how he could be so wrong about al Sadr's future prospects? Al Sadr has gone on to play a major role in the recent Shiite electoral victory and appears to be a significant player in Iraqi domestic politics and foreign affairs (with recent trip to Iran). Did Barnes' myopic view match that of the administration or was it unique?
as well as this one from anonymous:
How much does each get paid for speaking engagments?
The trouble with all three is that they’re easy to duck. I’ll keep alert for appropriate openings.
There will also be four panels of lesser luminaries where I can bring up some of these points. However, my role at the conference will be secondary to that of the students. It looks like they will be able to hold their own.
I’ll report as soon I can. I’d like to live-blog, but I don’t know what the wireless arrangements will be.
Cross-posted at Blue Force.