In advance of the first debate, let's suggest questions that should be posed to one or both of the candidates. I'll start the ball rolling after the orange squiggly ...
For Governor Romney: In the past month there have been a number of occasions in which you have made public statements and then had staff members explain what you really meant. You once actually said: "I’m not familiar precisely with what I said, but I’ll stand by what I said, whatever it was." One of the most important aspects of the job of president is communicating clearly to US citizens and to foreign leaders. Why should Americans vote for you for President when you have demonstrated that you are not a clear or effective communicator? Why should Americans vote for you if they can't understand your positions on any number of issues that have been and continue to be important in this campaign?
For Governor Romney: How are your proposed tax policies different from those enacted by former President George W. Bush? If they are not different, how will your policies lead to different economic results than those observed at the end of the George W. Bush administration, with the financial collapse of 2008-2009?
For Governor Romney: Please clarify if you are for or against the budget proposal authored by your running mate, Congressman Ryan. You have taken both positions in the past few months.
For Governor Romney: You have held numerous positions on the question of abortion. Can you please clarify now whether you are in favor of a woman's right to choose, in favor of restrictions on abortion except in cases of rape or incest, in favor of a complete and total ban on abortion consistent with the premise that life begins at conception (the "personhood" approach), each of which is a position you have taken over the course of the past decade. And a follow-up: Please explain how your proposal for women across the country on this issue compares with the positions your own family members have taken with regard to fertility treatments and surrogacy.
For Governor Romney: How will you "be tough on China" in the area of trade when you, personally, have held significant investments in Chinese companies and gain personal profit from their success?
For Governor Romney: One of the most significant supporters of your campaign is Sheldon Adelson. His company is under investigation for corrupt practices (including charges of bribing foreign officials in relation to the establishment of a casino in Macao and charges related to prostitution). How can you square your collaboration with an individual so involved in gambling with your personal religious commitment and ethical principles?
For President Obama: How will you move forward on legislative initiatives in a second term that will be different from how you tried to move forward in the first term?