Richard Cohen's Burning Questions

Like I said last week, if we flipped Richard Cohen to the side of the angels, it would just mean we'd have one truly muddle-headed pundit embarrassing our side. But since he and most of his readers think he's some sort of librul, I guess he already does that. So never mind.

But that brings us to Cohen's column this morning. He's got questions he's just dying to ask the candidates if he were moderating one of the debates. A few of them are decent questions, but boy howdy, do they get lost amidst the fluff. Here's some of the questions he'd ask Obama:

Senator Obama, we all know that lobbyists are not the problem in
Washington; it's the incessant need of politicians to raise campaign funds. Yet
you broke your pledge to accept public financing for your campaign. By doing
that, didn't you contribute to this problem? And a follow-up: If you broke your
word on this, how can we be sure you won't break your word again?

Senator Obama, given the problems facing our country -- a worldwide
financial crisis; a looming recession; the prospect of nukes in Iran and North
Korea; and Pakistan, which already has nukes, coming apart -- isn't it reckless
of you to think that, at your young age, with your limited experience, you can
manage it all?

Senator Obama, did you ever tell Bill Ayers to his face that what he did
was wrong?

Senator Obama, you are sooooooooo cool. Can you tell us, please, the last
time you lost your temper and what about? You have two minutes.

Senator Obama, do you ever wake up in the middle of night for anything?

Senator Obama, have you ever been in therapy? If so, how did it make you feel?

And here's what he'd ask McCain:

Senator McCain, reportedly you have been told to avoid looking at Senator
Obama during debates because he infuriates you and you could lose your temper.
Is this because of Obama's age or his manner or something else entirely?

Senator McCain, ... given your age, isn't [the Presidency] all too much?

Senator McCain, I have a question regarding Sarah Palin: How could
you?

Senator McCain, do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and wonder
if history will forgive you for Sarah Palin?

Senator McCain, you are 72 and have had skin cancer several times. Given
that -- not to mention the usual exigencies of life -- how could you pick a
running mate who is so dismally qualified for the presidency? And please, for
the sake of your own reputation, not to mention your mortal soul, don't say
anything about the Alaska National Guard.

To be fair, Cohen did ask some substantive questions. But they were the exception.