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America, Black America in particular, “The G-Man” has thrown down the gauntlet. At the close of the January 1 edition of “Meet the Press”, host David Gregory indicated that the show would be teaming up with Facebook to host a GOP debate on Sunday, January 8, in Concord, New Hampshire. The debate was held two days before the New Hampshire primary. Gregory also invited viewers to log on to Facebook and submit questions for the debate. Well, guess who logged on and submitted a question? I can tell you one thing. It wasn’t “Lady Blah-Blah”, also known as Michele Bachmann.
Those close to me know that I still have love and a tremendous amount of respect for the late and legendary Tim Russert, and to say that I miss him on Sunday mornings would be an understatement. I don’t mean any disrespect to Gregory. It’s just a fact, and I’m sure there are millions of loyal fans of Russert and the show that feel the same way. With 2012 being the year of what could be the most important election of our lifetime, America, and the news industry for that matter, is in dire need of more Tim Russerts.
In posing this very direct question to the selected candidates, From The G-Man was attempting to hold the Republican Party accountable by forcing them to acknowledge and respect the Black vote, which is something they never do. Moreover, posing this question was this news site’s way of honoring a man that many considered to be “the gold standard” in broadcast news from the early 80’s until his shocking death in 2008.
Yes, America, and all those in the Caribbean region, I feel extremely
confident in stating that this is a question Russert would’ve asked, especially since he was ready, willing and able to take on the issue of race. Don’t take my word for it. Check out the master in his riveting interview with entertainer Dr. Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint. Ask yourself this question after watching it: How many American network news hosts would’ve devoted an entire hour to covering the issue of race on a Sunday morning public affairs show?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhZve73KQpQ
Here is the question that was submitted for this Sunday’s debate. It will be a miracle if Gregory poses it to the candidates.
“This question is for Romney, Santorum, Paul, Gingrich and Perry, and it is being asked in the spirit and tone of the late, great Tim Russert. You all have been associated with controversies surrounding the issue of race, particularly where Blacks are concerned. In Romney’s case, the Mormon church refused to allow Blacks to become priests prior to and during the civil rights period; Santorum made comments in Iowa about Blacks on welfare; Paul has failed to offer a clear explanation of the racist articles that appeared in his newsletter; Gingrich has a long history of making questionable comments regarding the Black community; and Perry had “Niggerhead”. Having said that, would you all “man-up” now and provide an explanation as to why Black America should support you?”
This commentary is from the heart and….From The G-Man.
Editor’s Note: (Sunday, January 8, 2012) On the day of the debate, the question was completely ignored by the American media.
Tim Russert photo source: Flickr
Author: hyku from Winter Haven, FL, USA
Permission: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
Meet the Press clip uploaded to YouTube by todobeso70