Planting political questions

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I see your point. I was thinking more about the number of gays serving in the military, not in the general population. That said, I still don't think the question merited inclusion in the debate. Especially not the amount of time it was given. 5% of the population is not effected by the policy. Many of those 5% are past the age of joining and many would not join anyway (or vote Republican).

These debates are for a limited amount of time. The time should be used to illuminate the policies that have an impact on a greater portion of the population, not a (at most) 3% - 5% slice.

Many will disagree with this opinion. But the intellectually honest will acknowledge that the question was not included to bring about discussion of a topic that is highly relevant to this Presidential election (has it been asked in the Dem debates?). It was asked with the hopes of embarrassing the Republican candidates.

 

I'm inclined to disagree. I think Republican politicians and pundits tend to devote more attention to the gay issue, and thus it can be more controversial - and thus defining - for their candidates. I, personally, would like to know their differences on the controversial issues if I were to choose among candidates.

As for it being embarassing, they are running for public office, so they shouldn't be embarassed to voice their positions. What is this, a Victorian teatime party?

 

@The Shaman
So you feel the question was highly relevant to the selection of a Republican candidate for President? I disagree.

 

Well, a significant segment of the Republican base seems to think teh ghei is an important national issue, so it's not as though it was out of place.

 

How so?

 

Religious Right - votes Republican (in large numbers), obsesses over the gay. Therefore anything dealing with the gay is relevant to a significant proportion of the Republican Party. Therefore anything dealing with the gay isn't out of place in a Republican debate.

Or, to put this another way; 'don't ask, don't tell' may not matter to you, but it matters to your fellow travelers.

 

I see your point.

 

Because gay rights is a huge issue for religious conservatives.

EDIT: Woops! I didn't see page 2. What AMaster said.