Stephanopoulos defends his questions to Obama

Amid a storm of criticism that Wednesday’s Democratic presidential debate focused too heavily on “gotcha” questions and not enough on substance, ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos defended his decision to ask Illinois Sen. Barack Obama about his relationship with former political radical William Ayers. Stephanopoulos denied he’d been spoon-fed the question by Fox News host Sean Hannity.

“We have been researching this for a while,” Stephanopoulos said in a phone interview from New York. ABC News political correspondent Jake Tapper, he said, had blogged about the issue April 10, after it was first reported by Politico, the political news website. “Part of what we discovered is that Sen. Obama had never been asked directly about it, even though it’s being written about and talked about and Republicans are signaling that this is gonna be an issue in the general election.”

(A spokesman for Obama did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.)

On Tuesday, as a guest on Hannity’s radio program, Stephanopoulos said, “Well, I’m taking notes now, Sean” when Hannity suggested he raise the topic of Ayers with Obama.

In Wednesday’s prime-time debate, co-moderated with Charles Gibson, Stephanopoulos asked Obama: “…On this issue, general theme of patriotism, in your relationships. A gentleman named William Ayers. He was part of the Weather Underground in the 1970s. They bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol, and other buildings. He's never apologized for that…. An early organizing meeting for your state Senate campaign was held at his house, and your campaign has said you are ‘friendly.’ Can you explain that relationship for the voters and explain to Democrats why it won't be a problem?”

Obama replied, “This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who's a professor of English in Chicago who I know and who I have not received some official endorsement from. He's not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis. And the notion that somehow as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was 8 years old, somehow reflects on me and my values doesn't make much sense, George.”

Progressives pounced. “The real story of this debate,” said MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann, may be “where one of the moderators found his questions.”

Stephanopoulos dismissed the idea that he was doing Hannity’s bidding.

“The questions we asked were tough and fair and appropriate and relevant and what you would expect to be asked in a presidential debate at this point,” he said. “The questions we asked…are being debated around the political world every day.”

By this morning, more than 14,000 viewer comments had been posted on the ABC News website, the overwhelming majority critical of the debate moderators, who spent most of the first hour on what Stephanopoulous called “electability questions.”

“The way we thought about it was, it made sense to hit the electability questions first, then move on,” he said. “I can see where reasonable people would differ with that.”

The debate, broadcast in prime time, was the 21st and probably final matchup between the two Democratic contenders, Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. It was, according to ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider, the most watched debate of this campaign cycle, with 10.7 million viewers. The previous record, also held by ABC News, was 9.3 million viewers of the Jan. 5 debate between Democrats in New Hampshire.

As the critical Pennsylvania primary looms on Tuesday, both candidates have been dogged by controversies unrelated to the issues that voters say are topmost on their minds.

Clinton apologized for making up a story that she was under sniper fire on a tarmac while visiting Bosnia in 1996. Obama said he had “mangled up” what he meant to say after implying to supporters at a San Francisco fundraiser that some blue-collar voters are “bitter” and as a result “cling” to religion and guns.

Updated with more after the jump...    

Stephanopoulos asked Obama about his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whose impassioned denunciations of the American government were widely disseminated on the Web last month.

“But do you believe he’s as patriotic as you are?” Stephanopoulos asked.

Obama replied, “This is somebody who's a former Marine. So, I believe that he loves this country. But I also believe that he’s somebody who, because of the experiences he’s had over the course of a lifetime, is also angry about the injustices he’s had.”

Stephanopoulos, who was a senior advisor to Bill Clinton in his first term, also pressed Clinton about her character, telling her that an ABC News poll found that “six in 10 voters that we talk to say they don’t believe you’re honest and trustworthy.”

Washington Post television critic Tom Shales accused Stephanopoulos and Gibson of turning in “shoddy, despicable performances.” They dwelled, he added, “entirely on specious and gossipy trivia that has already been hashed and rehashed, in the hope of getting the candidates to claw at one another over disputes that are no longer news.”

However, New York Times political columnist David Brooks blogged his approval. “I understand the complaints,” he wrote, “but I thought the questions were excellent. The journalist’s job is to make politicians uncomfortable, to explore evasions, contradictions and vulnerabilities. Almost every question tonight did that.”

An outtake from the end of the debate, which appeared instantly on the Huffington Post, showed Gibson being heckled by audience members as he introduced a final commercial break. “The crowd is turning on me,” he said with a thin smile.

Some who watched thought the anger stemmed from the caliber of the debate. But Schneider, the ABC News spokesman, was in the hall and said he believed some in the audience were angry that they had to sit through yet more commercials before being allowed to leave the venue.

“I have no doubt other people may wish to spin that,” he said. 

-- Robin Abcarian

Photo: ABC News moderators George Stephanopoulos, right, and Charles Gibson, left, are seen before the start of the Democratic Party debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Comments

[rissy]

1. How does wearing or not wearing a flag pin pay my gasoline bill or mortgage?
2. How does Obama's meeting with William Ayers pay my health insurance?
3. How does Bill Clinton's meeting of Ayers' associates pay my son's tuition?

They don't.

I think the moderators let America down with their veiled suggestions and flimsy questions. George, Charles and Sean H. are not contributing any substance to
these debates. They are a poor reflection on the general media who is trying to
get answers to today's problems.

[Carole S.]

No, this was not Obama's finest hour, but when given the opportunity to add his dig to Clinton's Bosnia question he graciously declined to do so, unlike her previous digs at him. Where were the questions on Mark Penn, Bill Clinton's (and hers as well) income from the Colombians and the Chinese, her "screw them" comment, why she hasn't released her 2007 tax returns, and the list goes on. If the moderators were speaking to the issue of electibility and what the Republicans would bring up in the fall, then let's give equal questions to both candidates. I am neither an Obama nor a Clinton supporter, so am unbiased in that respect, but any reasonable person watching could recognize the bias in this debate. Indeed, why we were subjected to multiple images of Chelsea in the audience? We there any Obama supporters there and why were they not shown? ABC nightly news will no longer be my news of choice as it has been up until now.

[Jenny]

No I don't believe a brief association with anti-Americans rubs off on you, but when it come to Obama, he has had more than brief associations with the Wright, Farrakhan, Ayers, Rezko hate filled anti-American's..WHY ?? does he have so many of these associations, what was his purpose? You don't continue to associate with people without a purpose, especially when you know what they stand for.(WHY????did he write the books.... I think his books, his campaign was all plotted with these radicals)
Somebody find some absolute proof otherwise.
If I met somebody at a party or function of some kind and I found out he was filled with anger, didn't like this country, it would take me about 1/2 a second to depart this persons company and never return, since I love this country there would be no reason or purpose for me to associate with someone who doesn't.
He never answered the question about Ayers last night. He always avoids a direct answer.. he starts spinning...so he must be covering up how deep his involvement with them is.
He will not get my vote or anybody I know.

[James doughtery]

I get tired of so called reporters who think they are can just ask "gotcha" questions and think the public is interested in them.
Most of the questions that most reporters ask are nonsense and at times seem very biased. They apparently think by asking those kinds of questions the other party will think they are unbiased and are neutral, THAT IS A LAUGH.
MOST OF THE REPORTERS ARE MORE BIASD THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
The few reporters that are really good include Schiffer on face the nation. Charley Gibson of ABC nightly news is also pretty good. Bryan Williams is alright.
The guy on NBC on Sunday mornings is awful as for as I am concerned. He will never challenge a ranking republican like he does democrats. He also acts like he is the top reporter in the land, he is more like Bush in his actions than any other person I know.

[pg]

BO gets asked some tough and relevant questions about his associations with radical nuts and the lemmings that are in love with him scram tabloid journalism and fox news set-up!

The folks crying for "issues" and "substance" in the debate are BO supporters who can not see the forest through the trees.

The so called tabloid issues that are very real and important are going to HAMMER BO in the general election....

[John]

It was wonderful, shallow George, and Shallower Charlie, two morons, who think they really matter in this world. Shawn feeding George questions is unbelievable the guy is an idiot and probably would have been on the side of the British during the revolution. I find it phunny that the old political tactics of of character assassination are fading fast. Clinton is an anachronism as is brother Bill, McCain recognizes it as does Obama, but ABC just does not get it. I consider it Justice, that shallow George is getting flak for pulling his dumb ass stunt.

[Franklyn]

RIGHT ON! The American voter has the right to know the candidates. Contrary to conventional media feedback, this was the best debate ever between these two candidates. They were given the opportunity to answer on topics that have surfaced recently - as well as topics that are relevant to the American public, such as the housing crisis and the Iraq War. I was more than satisfied with the questions. Also, pressing the candidates on answering on the "Dream Team" possibility was brilliant and important to the Democratic selection of a candidate. Thank you Mr. Gibson and Mr. Stephanopoulos!

[Mag]

Why can't someone put a question for Hillary like this....

How does your husband's misdeeds in white-house affect your campaign?

Don't you think the republicans would target that?

[SeaTurtle]

I see a common theme to all these comments, whether conservative or liberal. Primarily there is a need for grammar and spelling education in this country.

[tcbishop12]

I regret to say the debate made a mockery of fairness and impartial media moderation of a debate. I am 53 years of age, and I've watched a fair number of them. But nothing that compares to last night's travesty. For 50+ minutes we heard nothing of substance. Sen. Obama's relationship as an 8 year old with Williams Ayers was brought up and we got to hear about Reverend Wright just one more time (can we all say amen and move on?). And whether wearing a flag lapel pin or not wearing one is evidence of one's patriotism. Or perhaps bad fashion sense. Impartial? Hardly. Decorum? There was little to none. Charlie Gibson -- who I liked while he was on GMA, but who is not a real journalist -- was debating with Sen. Obama at one point and -- it seemed to me -- constantly interrupting the Senator's answers. From George Stephanopoulos, I expected bias -- he owes his career to the Clintons. So it was not surprising that his "poisoning voter viewpoint" questions to Sen. Obama came right out of Sean Hannity's playbook. And the bias did not stop with the moderators. ABC's coverage was clearly slanted against Sen. Obama. The director cut several times to reaction shots of such Clinton supporters as her daughter, Chelsea. Obama supporters did not get equal screen time, giving the impression that there weren't any in the hall. The camera was tight on Hillary's face during her closing (with cutaways to Chelsea looking on admiringly) while during Sen. Obama;s closing, the camera pulled away three times to show Clinton looking disapproving. I really wish ABC was running for something, so I could vote against them. A total protest boycott is in order. Nightline and This Week? I will never watch them again.

[lorax]

ABC completely blew it. In all polls the top two issues on voters minds are the occupation of Iraq and the failing economy. George and Charlie did not ask the candidates about these issues that a new president needs to address - until fifty minutes into the debate. Instead they led with insulting "he-said, she-said, someone you know said" questions. George and Charlie were trying to start a food fight in the FOX-Murdock vein. This was not a debate that the America people want or deserve. The main stream media once again falls down on the job. George, Charlie - you should be ashamed of yourselves. ABC - you owe us an apology.

[marystarchild]

I did not watch the debate last night. but i did tune into msnbc and cnn to see what happened. I thought that it was odd they were upset because obama was asked about his associtions and remarks. Hillary clinton is always asked.She even is asked about things her husband did or said.Nobody gets upset about her being asked.Personally I think obama suppoters are scary.Almost like when you coulnt question george bush about the war.I think its good to question both candidates and if people complain they complain you cant please everone.

[cm grigg]

Didn't George Stephanopoulos work for the Clintons....And isn't Sen Clinton good friends with Rupert Murdoch...and didn't John Mcain meet with President Bush before going to Oral Roberts and the surge got Mcains blessing...and didn't Bush I spend a lot of time with Clinton I after Katrina and into Africa...and isn't Sen Clinton and Pres Bush related to Bush I and Clinton I .....and wasn't Sen Clinton originally a Republican.....and isn't the country just as divided under Clinton I as with Bush II.....Seems to me we are being taken for a bunch of idiots...and still we continue to go along with it....They may be the result but we are the problem

[Jo]

Kudos to George and Charlie for FINALLY asking LEGITIMATE questions for which the US citizens want answers!! And thank you for NOT throwing softballs such as those thrown in the past by mediators.

A couple of other things I'd like answers to: Barack's wife's comments, her college essay which was very racist, his dishonesty plagiarizing other people's "words", etc. Seems he is great at deflecting questions and shifting blame but not so talented at answering questions. I am NOT a hillary supporter either but I'd like to know what Hill has to do with Bill's pardons when he was in office? This is a non-issue. Barack did not answer why he continues to befriend a US terrorist. Also, what about Barack's refusal to place his hand over his heart during the pledge? Why is he the only one in the photos who does NOT have his hand over his heart. What about his attendance at Farrakhan's Million Man March? I guess someone forced him into it. What about Rezko? This guy is FINALLY getting the vetting that the other candidates have gotten for years. Unfortunately CNN and MSNBC (especially Nora Odonnell who SWOONS everytime his name is mentioned) cannot seem to report real news but rather, what they want the public to know. Never before have I seen an election covered with such partiality and an agenda by the Press. Again, thank you to Charlie and George for a stellar job.

[scott levitta]

The frustrating reality is that last night's debate was not a debate between the candidates. Last nights debate was between the moderators (Charles Gibson / George Stephanopoulos) and the candidates. Unfortunately ABC missed an important opportunity by allowing the moderators to ask these questions. We the American people also missed an opportunity to hear how these two distinguished candidates plan to address the challenges we face as a Nation. Instead, they were forced to defend themselves on issues not nearly as important as climate change or war.

[j]

Although I am a Republican, the debate showed me the impact that white female voters over 45 years of age will have in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. Those are Hillary's core voters. The only way Obama can overcome the inherent backlash from those older white women, when he does not select Hillary as his VP, is by selecting Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebellius or Missouri Senator Claire McCaskil. This is a more compatible ticket and answere the question of whether the country is ready to vote for a women or if they are just reluctant to vote for a woman named Clinton.

[cm grigg]

Didn't George Stephanopoulos work for the Clintons....And isn't Sen Clinton good friends with Rupert Murdoch...and didn't John Mcain meet with President Bush before going to Oral Roberts and the surge got Mcains blessing...and didn't Bush I spend a lot of time with Clinton I after Katrina and into Africa...and isn't Sen Clinton and Pres Bush related to Bush I and Clinton I .....and wasn't Sen Clinton originally a Republican.....and isn't the country just as divided under Clinton I as with Bush II.....Seems to me we are being taken for a bunch of idiots...and still we continue to go along with it....They may be the result but we are the problem

[Jo]

Kudos to George and Charlie for FINALLY asking LEGITIMATE questions for which the US citizens want answers!! And thank you for NOT throwing softballs such as those thrown in the past by mediators.

A couple of other things I'd like answers to: Barack's wife's comments, her college essay which was very racist, his dishonesty plagiarizing other people's "words", etc. Seems he is great at deflecting questions and shifting blame but not so talented at answering questions. I am NOT a hillary supporter either but I'd like to know what Hill has to do with Bill's pardons when he was in office? This is a non-issue. Barack did not answer why he continues to befriend a US terrorist. Also, what about Barack's refusal to place his hand over his heart during the pledge? Why is he the only one in the photos who does NOT have his hand over his heart. What about his attendance at Farrakhan's Million Man March? I guess someone forced him into it. What about Rezko? This guy is FINALLY getting the vetting that the other candidates have gotten for years. Unfortunately CNN and MSNBC (especially Nora Odonnell who SWOONS everytime his name is mentioned) cannot seem to report real news but rather, what they want the public to know. Never before have I seen an election covered with such partiality and an agenda by the Press. Again, thank you to Charlie and George for a stellar job.

[chris c]

Fox news (should be fake news) would be proud. Old George and Charlie did their bidding in the attempt to appeal to Americans lowest common denominator. I am sure the Clintons were pleased, but it won't help. Like Sen. Obama I have faith the American people are smarter than george and his buddy racist sean at faux news. The masses of American voters would prefer to be represented by a President who displays class and refuses to stoop to gutter politics, kitchen sink strategies, and win at all costs lies. This country has already had a President who consistently lied to America and embarassed the office by sexually harrassing and cheating on the first lady with a 19 year old student intern then lying about it and costing the tax payers millions with his lies. He followed this up by selling overnight stays in the whitehouse to celebrities, selling pardons before leaving office and stealing souveniers from Air Force One and the Whitehouse. Why any thinking person would want to put these people back in the Whitehouse is beyond comprehension.

[Aaron]

What I don't get is the whole "Obama supporters" bit. I am not an Obama supporter. But I still think this debate and damn near every debate so far has pandered to stupid, marginal, and in the grand scheme completely IRRELEVANT BULLSHIT "issues" like "electability" and "character" crap. Of course Stephanopopoppopolis is going to defend himself. He's a hack who has to justify why he deserves a job. (Hint: he doesn't.)

I am so fed up with the media's coverage of the elections it's just ridiculous. The Onion has better election coverage.