If ABC Moderated the Lincoln-Douglas Debates

It's been widely agreed ABC ran the worst presidential debate in memory this past week. Rather than concentrating on real issues, such as Iraq or the economy, Charlie Gibson and (former Clinton advisor) George Stephanopoulos instead focused on lapel lins, the pastor scandal (which came and went weeks ago), and other gossipy topics. It was sham.

Rather than rant about what media or presidential politics has become, I'll instead point you to a very funny and sad post on Obsidian Wings, which imagines an ABC-moderated Lincoln-Douglas Debate in 1858.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Do you love America this much (extending fingers), this much
(extending hands slightly), or thiiiiiis much (extending hands
broadly)?
LINCOLN: I think we covered this…
GIBSON: If I may
interrupt…
LINCOLN: Please.
GIBSON: I noticed, Mr. Lincoln, that your
American flag pin was upside down…
LINCOLN: Yes, the wind caught it. Now, as
I was saying...
GIBSON: We get questions about this all the time over at
Powerline and on Hannity’s talk show. Mr. Douglas has said this is a major
vulnerability for you in the fall. So I’ll ask again – do you love America?

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