New G.O.P. Debate Format Forbids Questions About Things Candidates Said, Did

[Zorro]

NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)—According to a format negotiated between the Republican National Committee and the television networks, future Presidential debates during the 2016 campaign will strictly forbid questions about things the candidates “said” or “did,” the R.N.C. confirmed on Monday.

Reince Priebus, the chairman of the R.N.C., said that the deal addressed the candidates’ concerns about the previously broadcast debates, which he called “abusively fact-based.”

“In some cases, moderators were asking candidates questions about statements they made two or three weeks earlier,” Priebus said. “This new format will eliminate that kind of ancient history.”

Priebus said that the new format would satisfy not only the candidates but also Republican voters, many of whom have complained about moderators’ ”out-of-control obsession with verifiable information.”

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/new-g-o-p-debate-format-forbids-questions-about-things-candidates-said-did

[niyad]

1. reality has outstripped any possibility of meaningful satire with the pukes.

[yeoman6987]

2. Well I give them credit for fighting for what they want

The democratic nominees could have done the same with regards to demanding more debates but decided on the play along process. I wonder who will get their way?

[ZX86]

3. It's satire but

Truthfully that's the way it should be. Public policy debates should be about public policy. Not a session of loaded gotcha questions. That's what interviews and press conferences are for. Debates are for candidates to answer questions about public policy issues. Not what they think about Rosie O'Donnell, their ranking in polls, or their opinions of the moral character of the other candidates.

[gratuitous]

4. Satire for sure

But the sponsors should accede to each and every request with one proviso: The candidate has to answer the question asked. If the question is about immigration reform, the candidate can't go off the deep end yakking about Benghazi or Planned Parenthood or whatever hobgoblin is currently infesting their little mind. Penalty is your mic is cut, and you're off the stage.