Russert missed two important follow up questions on taxes...

[leyton]

He asked Bush several times about why he lowers taxes during war, yet calls himself a fiscal conservative. Bush repeatedly answered, "I lowered taxes so as to stimulate the economy." Russert asked if Bush would consider keeping taxes at a steady rate till the deficit went away, and Bush evaded the question.

Why didn't Russert ask this follow up question: "Keeping the enormous deficit and debt in mind, if the economy were strong again, would you consider raising taxes again?"

This would put Bush in a nasty position, because he would never say that taxes should be raised (that's sinful to him) but if he answered "no," it would be apparent that his plan is to cut taxes no matter what, which is of course unrealistic looking at the deficit.

The other question should have been, "Well, Mr. President, you say you've lowered taxes to benefit the economy, and yet we're in the middle of war and because of these two things the government is spiraling into the red. Aren't you trying to have your pretzel and eat it too?"

Okay, Russert would say cake, not pretzel. But still...

[acmavm]

1. There were a LOT of questions Russert could have asked, but didn't.

This MTP interview was just a free-pass for the Bush* campaign.

[Jane Eyre]

2. Russert also did not follow up on the National Guard dodge

Why, why, why did Russert not follow up even once on Bush's attempt to make it look as though criticism or his lack of service in the National Guard was tantamount to criticism of the National Guard itself? It was obvious that it was a rehearsed answer, obviously meant to deflect criticism from Bush. Bush's critics are saying that he SHOULD have served honorably in the Guard but didn't, not that service in the Guard was dishonorable. It is exactly the opposite - the Guard is an honorable institution and should have been honored by Bush.

Also, if Bush could "work it out with the military" to get out of service 8 months early, then can we say that the average Joe now serving his National Guard committment in Iraq also has the same opportunity to cut his military service short if he can "work it out?"