JOHNSTON, Iowa — A third of the way through Thursday’s final presidential debate before the Iowa caucuses, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson made a plaintive plea to moderator Carolyn Washburn: Can’t we please talk about the Iraq war?
"We’re losing sight that that’s the most important, fundamental issue affecting our country," he urged. "This is the number one issue affecting not just this country but Iowa caucusgoers."
"Thank you," Washburn replied primly. "I want to take on a new issue." She then led the candidates into a discussion about flex fuels and the corporate carbon tax.
Washburn, the earnest and schoolmarmish editor of the Des Moines Register, stunned the political world when she announced, at the beginning of the Republican debate on Wednesday, that she did not want to talk about Iraq and immigration, at least not in any "concentrated" way. She continued that policy Thursday with the Democrats, asking not a single question about Iraq. The words "terrorist," "Iran," "Pakistan" and "al-Qaeda" didn’t get even a single mention.
I’ve got a theory on why Washburn avoided talking about the war — she’s a woman and women don’t like talking about wars.
