Give Us Answers on Partisan Gridlock at the Final Presidential Debate!
On October 15, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will be discussing domestic policy issues in the final presidential debate. This year, there is new format for the debates: they are divided into 10-minute "issue segments."
This format change means candidates can speak at length on important issues - and we need your help to shape what those issues are!
Both candidates face a challenge as president to eliminate partisan differences that keep American lawmakers from bringing real change. The next president will need to adopt a bipartisan solution to fix long-term problems like financial security and health care. Sign the petition asking debate moderator Bob Schieffer to pose the question: As president, how will you work across party lines to end gridlock in Washington?
Dear Mr. Schieffer,
The new "issue segment" format for the 2008 presidential debates promises to be a welcome change as Senators Barack Obama and John McCain are able to explain their platforms in more depth. I write to request that one of the eight segments is dedicated to the question: How will you work across party lines to end gridlock in Washington?
Both candidates have discussed their plans for the country in the next four years, but it's important for them to also explain how they will accomplish these goals. The partisan differences in Washington are keeping lawmakers from enacting real change - and the next president will face a challenge in getting all parties to work together.
Because enacting their plans will be a challenge, it's important that we not only hear
what their plans are, but
how they will accomplish them. A question like "How will you work across party lines to end gridlock in Washington?" will give the candidates time to discuss their plans in depth.
I look forward to hearing this question in the debates.
