It was reminiscent of a childhood nightmare. Standing before the whole school, your family and all your friends when, seemingly out of nowhere, you're told that nobody likes you. At least not as much as your archrival.
But this was no grade school nightmare. The event took place on national television early this month at Saint Anselm College when WMUR reporter Scott Spradling told presidential candidate Hillary Clinton that voters don't really like her, and they "seem to like Barack Obama more."
"Well, that hurts my feelings," she said.
The moment was brief, and in a lighter moment of the New Hampshire debate, but it was a representation of many personal issues in the 2008 presidential campaign season.
It never fails. Every four years, some of the brightest and best in politics roll up the sleeves, take off the gloves and start swinging. The ads are mean, rude and dishonest. Speeches on the road are scathing and deceiving. You could set a watch by it.
But then it comes to the debates. These are the only times when candidates are at least slightly controlled regarding the topic of conversation. While they're not exactly a flawless way to judge a candidate, it's often times the only time they can be publicly confronted as a group.
Debate moderators keep the group focused on the specific topic instead of taking personal jabs at one another -- at least, that's how it should be.
But this season, it seems the moderators have thrown in the towel. Fred Thompson was cutthroat against Mike Huckabee. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama look like they're ready for war. Every Republican is aiming for Mitt Romney's knees.
The worst part? People seem to be really enjoying the "honesty" coming from the candidates. The commentary that follows each debate often points to the audience's ability to find an appreciation for the candidates' personalities.
But don't be deceived. These politicians are extremely talented at what they do. And what they do it earn votes, no matter what. They are advised endlessly by staff members on every possible attack their opponents could present. They're also prepared with a response to every attack. That's why there are only a few men (and one woman) in the running out of the millions of Americans. This is good preparation, not personality.
We depend on the moderators to get them past this and into real discussion. So when Spradling forfeits his professionalism for a laugh, and moderator Wolf Blitzer never opens his mouth to cut off a speaker, the race for the American presidency becomes nothing short of an all-ages nightmare.
