I watched the South Carolina Senate Debate on Meet the Press this morning, and you have to give it to Tim Russert—he’s a tough questioner. Although Russert was tougher on DeMint, that imbalance can at least partly be explained by the fact that DeMint simply gave Russert better material. However, DeMint probably held up as well as he could under the questioning. (Is it possible that Richard Perry’s presence is already having its intended effect?)
Russert questioned DeMint about his now infamous remarks about wanting to kick gays and single mothers out of the classroom. When DeMint offered his standard reply—that he has apologized for making those statements because it has distracted from the real issues—Russert battered DeMint in an attempt to get DeMint to clarify whether he was actually sorry for the sentiment—instead of the distraction it created. DeMint, however, refused to move beyond the bounds of his prior apology, and, ultimately, Russert gave up. Here is an abbreviated portion of the exchange from the transcript:
MR. RUSSERT: In a previous debate, Mr. DeMint, you were asked a question, and this was your answer about teaching in South Carolina.(Videotape, S. Carolina Educational TV Debate, October 3, 2004):
REP. DeMINT: If a person is a practicing homosexual, they should not be teaching in our schools.
(End videotape)
MR. RUSSERT: Why not?
REP. DeMINT: Well, I apologize for that remark, because I really regret distracting from the main issues of this debate.
MR. RUSSERT: Well, do you apologize because it's a distraction or do you apologize for what you said?
REP. DeMINT: No, I apologize for distracting from the real issues of this debate. This is...
MR. RUSSERT: So do you--wait, but let's clarify. Do you believe that gays should be able to teach in the public schools of South Carolina?
REP. DeMINT: I believe that's a local school board issue and the voters of South Carolina want me to talk about how they're going to be safer, how they're going to have better jobs, how I'm going to save Social Security.
. . .
MR. RUSSERT: You also, when asked about your comments about gay teachers, said this: "I would have given the same answer when asked if a single woman, who was pregnant and living with her boyfriend, should be hired to teach my third-grade children." Do you also still believe that, that a single mom should not be a teacher in South Carolina schools?
REP. DeMINT: I believe that's a local school board issue. And, Tim, I was answering as a dad who's put lots of children in the hands of teachers and I answered with my heart. And I should just say, again, I apologize that distracted from the real debate.
MR. RUSSERT: But you apologize for distracting but are you apologizing to gay teachers or to single mom teachers?
REP. DeMINT: No. I'm apologizing for talking about a local school board issue when the voters want us to talk about how we're going to make them safer, win the war on terror, how we're going to create jobs, how we're going to fix our health-care system. And these are things I've worked on in the Congress and that's what I plan to do in the Senate.
. . .
MR. RUSSERT: But don't the voters have a right to know about whether or not you still stand by comments you made in the campaign? Do you stand by your comments?
REP. DeMINT: I apologized for answering a local school board question.
MR. RUSSERT: No, you're apologizing for the distraction, but it's a simple question. Do you believe that gays should be able to teach in South Carolina schools?
REP. DeMINT: Well, Tim...
MR. RUSSERT: Do you believe that single moms should be able to teach?
REP. DeMINT: It's a very simple answer. I think the local school board should make that issue, not Senate can--I mean, make that decision.
MR. RUSSERT: But you didn't think that a month ago when you answered the question.
REP. DeMINT: And I apologize for that, Tim.
MR. RUSSERT: For answering the question?
REP. DeMINT: Yeah, for distracting from the real thing.
MR. RUSSERT: But not for the substance of your comments.
REP. DeMINT: Tim, who hires teachers should be decided by local school boards.
You have to hand it to DeMint for sticking to his limited response under that questioning. As I have previously commented, I think DeMint’s original remarks were absurd and reckless. Furthermore, I think he should have offered a much better apology initially. However, at this point, I basically agree with Craig Linton that DeMint probably did the best he could given the circumstances under which he is now operating. To quote from Craig’s post at RedState:
This was the best he could have handled the question. Had he reaffirmed his stance, changed it, or apologized for the substance of his remarks, it would have re-ignited a firestorm that would have distracted from the other important issues in the Senate race. DeMint looked evasive during the interview, but dodged the fall-out of a potential press bonanza.
That said, I think DeMint could have been well-served to offer up a little indignation after Russert continued to question him on it. Here’s my proposed response (maybe someone could forward it to Richard Perry for next time):
Now, Tim, this is exactly why I apologized. I answered a question that I shouldn’t have. I made a mistake, and, as a result, here we are on national television burning up all this time talking about something that has nothing to do with what I would do for South Carolina as its next U.S. Senator on critical issues like healthcare, the war on terror, taxes, and Social Security. Now, you can keep on asking me questions about it until your blue in the face, but I’m not going to waste anymore time talking about distractions because I believe this election is too important. Next question. [NOTE: This is my suggestion--not a quote of DeMint or anyone else from the debate]
Granted, though, it’s a lot easier for me to come up with that answer sitting here at my computer.
On the other hand, Tenenbaum refused to answer Russert’s questions about whether she believes that life begins at conception. Here is that exchange:
MR. RUSSERT: Ms. Tenenbaum, do you believe life begins at conception?MS. TENENBAUM: I believe that a woman and her family and her physician should decide whether or not to exercise the freedom of choice.
MR. RUSSERT: But you believe life begins at conception.
MS. TENENBAUM: It depends on were you talking ensoulment? Are you talking about physical life? I believe that a woman should decide whether or not to have an abortion with her family and her physician. I can't answer that scientifically when life begins.
Unfortunately, Russert let her go at that point. So, in the end, evasion knew no party in this debate.
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