Ponytail Guy

I just read an article talking about the potential danger of the town-hall style debate tonight. It talked about how in 1992, a guy with a pony tail asked a question and scolded President George H.W. Bush for running a negative character campaign against Clinton.

"Referring to voters as "symbolically the children of the future president," he asked how voters could expect the candidates 'to meet our needs, the needs in housing and in crime and you name it, as opposed to the wants of your political spin doctors and your political parties. ... Could we cross our hearts? It sounds silly here but could we make a commitment? You know, we're not under oath at this point, but could you make a commitment to the citizens of the U.S. to meet our needs—and we have many—and not yours again?'"

With the recent increase in negative campaigning by Obama and McCain, there is the possibility of a regular "Joe Six-Pack" asking tough questions of the candidates. I do hope someone gets the nerve and the opportunity to put the candidates on the spot. Maye we'll actually get a spontaneous answer that will allow us to learn a little more about the candidates instead of a speech module that they've practiced over and over.

Because in essence, what the pony tail guy said is true. The election should be about us, the people, and our needs, not the candidates and political parties.