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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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These Hot-Button Issues Need Pressing in Last Debate

Abortion, Supreme Court among issues ignored in McCain-Obama encounters thus far

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(Newser) – There's just one debate to go, and a surprising number of "hot buttons have gone unpressed," writes John J. Pitney, Jr. in the National Review. A search of the previous debates' transcripts turned up plenty of topics that demand a visit:

  • Abortion: “So far, nobody has even uttered the word in the debates,” despite the sharp contrast between the candidates.

  • Stem cells: A major issue in 2006, completely ignored this year.
  • Supreme Court: “Even a single appointment could have a major effect on the law. Amazingly, the transcripts show no mention of the phrase ‘Supreme Court’ or any of the sitting justices,” leaving us to guess what kind of judges the candidates would nominate.
  • Immigration: Another hot-button issue of yesteryear, off the map now. “Does anybody think that we have solved the problem once and for all?”
Click the link below for the complete list.

John McCain speaks as Barack Obama listens during a town hall-style presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 7, 2008.
John McCain speaks as Barack Obama listens during a town hall-style presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 7, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama laugh during a town hall-style presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Scott Olson, Pool)
Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama laugh during a town hall-style presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Scott Olson, Pool)   (AP Photo/Scott Olson, Pool)
Moderator Tom Brokaw couldn't get the candidates to stick to their time constraints last Tuesday.
Moderator Tom Brokaw couldn't get the candidates to stick to their time constraints last Tuesday.   (AP Photo)
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain speaks as Democratic candidate Barack Obama listens during last week's townhall-style presidential debate.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain speaks as Democratic candidate Barack Obama listens during last week's townhall-style presidential debate.   (AP Photo)
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It is natural that the economy and Iraq have occupied a large share of debate time. But McCain and Obama have probably used up their talking points on both issues.
- John J. Pitney, Jr.

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