George Stephanopoulus And Condoms: Chance

In a debate held several weeks ago, George Stephanopoulus really zeroed in on Mitt Romney for an answer to the question:

“Could a state ban contraception?”

Romney, sensing the trap, declined to answer.

George didn’t stop-anopoulus.  He kept right on going,  Going to the point that the audience boo’ed him.

My question to you:

Was this a precursor to the whole fabricated women’s health initiative initiated by Obama?  Are they singing from the same hymnal?

14 responses to “George Stephanopoulus And Condoms: Chance

  1. I’m curious why you think this is a trap. Why should Romney be able to avoid answering the question?

    • I’m curious why you think this is a trap.

      Well, at the time, I thought the trap was to ask a question about state’s rights using a contentious social issue. If Romney had said, “Of course states can regulate contraception.” the press would have portrayed him as actually supporting such a position.

      The larger trap may have been that George knew that Obama was considering the contraception mandate.

      Why should Romney be able to avoid answering the question?

      Actually you are right. He SHOULD answer that question. It’s important that candidates describe the difference in the ability of the Federal government mandating and the State government mandating. In fact, it’s why him crafting Romneycare is okay but Obama care isn’t. He should have been deft enough to answer that question but not in the context of contraception.

      For example, when I wanna make a point I use silly example -granted this may turn off a certain set of audiences- like unicorn horns or fairy dust.

      Anyway, I’m sad he didn’t answer the question but also sad that George would use rubbers to get a candidate to describe his position on that topic.

  2. Well, sure, Stuffaluffagus is singing in their choir. He’s the soloist this Sunday.

    As a side not, you’ll have to watch it with the unicorn horns and fairy dust; seems to go over lots of heads…..(as you’ve probably witnessed)

    • Well, sure, Stuffaluffagus is singing in their choir. He’s the soloist this Sunday.

      It’s hard to think it’s that obvious. Then again…

      As a side not, you’ll have to watch it with the unicorn horns and fairy dust; seems to go over lots of heads…..(as you’ve probably witnessed)

      The more rigorous complaint is that I’m overly obtuse with the simple examples.

      Thanks for stoppin’ by!

  3. I’m putting your address on Utah’s post. Maybe the boys will come over and drive you crazy…..:)
    I’m so glad some one else is accused of being obtuse…..

  4. I think Dick Morris was on to something when he was (I think?) the first to call Stephanopoulos out on his line of questioning. Plus, Dick Morris admitted openly to being one of those guys who fed reporters questions in the hope of “gotcha”-ing their opponents, and worked with Stephanopoulos to boot. The question was just too out of left field (no one was really talking about contraception at the time, therefore I think Stephy-boy is definitely still working for his Dem buddies.

    Clip from Morris is below.
    http://nation.foxnews.com/mitt-romney/2012/02/19/romney-set-abcs-stephanopoulos

  5. The Republicans made this a story, not Obama. If it’s fabricated, it’s a GOP fabrication – they went all into this. In any event, politicians are big boys. The candidates are responsible for what they say and do. All this is a GOP creation, blaming a debate question (that most people didn’t see or know existed – Republican debates have not been ratings winners!) is implausible.

    • I don’t Obama had to initiate it. I think his people did, and former staffers say it happens and with George being a former staffer and with an Obama-friendly network, I don’t think it’s that far of a leap.

      Plus, I don’t think anyone’s saying the GOP never do it, either. On the same program that Morris was on admitting that he used to do it (i.e. feed reporters questions), Rove basically admitted that he did the same thing. I think the issue here was whether journalistic integrity was compromised and whether a major network reporter is in the tank for a candidate. Where was contraception in any of the discussions prior? I think there was a political play being made, and George deliberately took a spot on the field to help out his buddies. Not something I lose sleep over though.

    • All this is a GOP creation, blaming a debate question (that most people didn’t see or know existed – Republican debates have not been ratings winners!) is implausible.

      My point is that I think the whole contraception thing was a planned political action. Obama couldn’t care if the insurance company provides it or not – I suspect he knows it’s not legal. It was meant to change the conversation.

      • If that’s the case, Obama’s team is more effective than I thought! That would be bad news for the GOP in this election cycle. Of course Republicans seem bent on self-destruction lately. There is time to turn it around, but I think they need to coalesce around Romney sooner rather than later.

        • Of course Republicans seem bent on self-destruction lately.

          Yeah, there seems to be confusion in the ranks. Then again, that’s maybe how primaries go.

          I think they need to coalesce around Romney sooner rather than later.

          For sure.

          • “I think they need to coalesce around Romney sooner rather than later.”
            I agree. I think its unfortunate that Huntsman got squeezed out by the egos and the drama (in my opinion), but if Chritie’s FOR SURE (haha) not jumping into the race, I think it’s best that they just accept and go forward with the best chance of winning.

            Re: Stephy being in the tank and that being an “incredible feat”, again, I don’t think it’s that much of one. Reporters cuddle up to get exclusives all the time. You could see O’Reilly making softer and softer comments about Obama last year when he was trying to get an interview with him. Even corporately, reporters write favorable pieces for companies or celebrities in order to be that company’s first choice for their next interview, “leak”, or scoop. Therefore, I don’t think feeding a reporter a great “gotcha” question for a live debate is any sort of a stretch nor would it be something passed up by either party – especially when former Democratic and Republican campaign managers say as much!

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