Opinion: Undermoderated Debate Drifted into Talking Point Session

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Final thoughts on last night's vice-presidential debate.

Anyone supporting either party who thought last night's debate was a slam dunk must have started their drinking games early.

Talking points and partisan mantras were the rule of the day, with both candidates often ignoring the question to repeat a talking point. And the moderator was too timid to push for answers.

Pence did what he needed to do to play to his base, and Harris did not lose her cool and played to hers.

Neither candidate likely influenced undecided voters very much.

Glad theirs was a one and out.

Next year might be a good time for both parties to re-evaluate their long-term strategies and find ways to foster more diverse opinions within the ranks. This was once the norm in both parties, elected officials of broad approaches to governing the American people.

The starting point would be campaign finance reform. Resurrect the bill put forth by Sen. Henry "Scoop" Jackson back in the 1970s which essentially stated that if you can't cast a direct for for the candidate, you cannot donate a single dime to that campaign.

I would add a 5-year prohibition of presidential candidates' family members taking jobs with any group which has government contracts of any kind.

But whatever happens, the sky in not falling. The country has survived greater challenges and poor leadership in all branches. It's been a hallmark of this nation, the ability to recover from self-inflicted wounds, and just because many (myself included) lose patience sometimes with the current state of affairs, the great experiment rolls on.

So take a deep breath and relax. And vote. And do something good for your community.