Indeed. The press here sucks big time insofar as questioning POTUSes. They have to submit prescreened softball questions many times and it's a PR stunt for the POTUS. In other nations, leaders are expected to be grilled in cross-examination style by reporters. Here it's a joke and even harmful because of the trumped up softball questions and answers that provide no pressure and instead a load of self-serving spin, platitudes, soundbites and BS.

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Around 200,000 Irish immigrants served in the Union and Confederate armies in the American Civil War, often forming their own regiments and, at times, fought each other. At Fredericksburg, the Union’s Irish Brigade faced the Irish McMillan's Guards of Cobb's 24th Georgia entrenched in a sunken road behind a stone wall. Ordered to make a suicidal charge, it became one of the most famous events of the Civil War. The re-enactment portrayed in the movie Gods and Generals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qVCxEupPag

Yes, and its absolutely dreadful.

Apart from the odd rabble of cheers or humor i do not wanna spend an hour listenning to why urban housing developments can effect the rate of which middle income tax breaks are being subsidised for social housing.

I guess it depends on whether you preffer your politics fact based or personality based, for me its all about personality.

No one would make you watch the question period...

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

But it could set a precedent of forcing future Presidents to get into this sort of thing.

You don't have any God given right to an explanation from them and neither does anyone else.

That is the most frightening thing I've heard of since the turn of the century, possibly longer.

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"Bring the boys back home!"--Pink Floyd

NFA JJG 42-95

Free People/Free Markets

Following the Path of the Beam

I mean I would think that the questions would be the typical "gotcha" type, rather than meaningful inquiries.
For instance, let's pretend this was already happening - I cannot imagine that Congress wouldn't be using the platform to grandstand their own agenda's.

I look at previous infamous congressional hearings...horrid waste of time, as nothing was accomplished as each member was far more interested in "looking tough" at the big bad mean guy - than asking legitimate questions.

I can't believe the people don't enjoy questions that involve 8 year olds asking "Mr President what can I do to make your job easier?"

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Is our children learning? -George W. Bush

"I think—tide turning—see, as I remember—I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of—it's easy to see a tide turn—did I say those words?"—Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006

"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004

Yeah ok, I can see where you are coming from and I agree that would not be right...Damn, why can't politicians live up to the integrity that their post demands?

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"Bring the boys back home!"--Pink Floyd

NFA JJG 42-95

Free People/Free Markets

Following the Path of the Beam

I think that it's a fantastic idea, but I don't see it happening.

The people that run for (and serve as) POTUS seem to have an ego that would preclude such questioning. They seem to take the stance that the POTUS is most definitely not a position that is or should be subject to questioning by the Congress.

It's too bad, too. I'd love to see it now, and in the future (and in the past).

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

God forbid that Maxine Waters is involved in the questioning. The session would last for days until she could find the correct word to use.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

But our system is predominantly that of executive government, which exhempts parliamentary style systems for a reason.

To get elected McCain is gonna have to spend the best part of a year on the stump, and we vote for him for him, not the party.

In other countries because they elect the party the leader is only appointed to his position so he gets grilled.

Now if McCain were to do it then it would set a precedent of this sort of thing for many years to come and every President may then be criticised if he or she doesn't oblige.

Which would be great.

We don't, by the way, have a predominantly executive government. We have a three-way government that supposedly checks and balances itself.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

After deleting 5 posts...would you guys mind letting the conversation continue without the bickering....thank you

No we don't, the executive branch runs the government.

Bere actually preffers parliamentary systems which is why he is more supportive of this, and that is fine if its what you want to achieve, but don't try and pretend that's what our system is actually about.

Also on the precedent issue Donkey i don't see why one moron should handicap our entire field of future candidates who want the same EP that the 43 Presidents before them got.