# Donna Brazile supplied debate questions to Hillary? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 1, 2016, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377 "2016-11-01T16:18:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/81 "2016-11-03T20:06:44Z")
So if it makes no difference then why bother passing the questions along? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/82 "2016-11-03T20:20:33Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > So if it makes no difference then why bother passing the questions along? So that those in a position to help her career would think kindly on her. I’m not defending Donna Brazile’s careerist move any more than I’m defending James Comey’s, by the way. I think they’re both ethically repellant (though Comey is potentially in more trouble with actual laws than is Brazile). ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/83 "2016-11-03T20:24:43Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Not as long as the GOP keeps talking. This didn’t come from the GOP and it is factual. I can’t believe that Hillary is the best choice we have right now. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/84 "2016-11-03T20:25:20Z")
What’s Comey got to do with this? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/85 "2016-11-03T20:30:42Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > It’s a debate, not an episode of _Jeopardy!_ What difference does it make if the candidate knows the questions in advance? It’s only important that the questions are about matters relevant to voters. It makes an enormous difference, because it was leaked to one contestant but not the other. By knowing a question in advance, a candidate can be prepared for it in advance in front of a massive television audience. Candidates can’t be prepared for every single one of the thousands of questions that could be asked, so this specific intel is vitally useful. A war analogy might be appropriate here: In combat, the enemy could use any of several hundred different tactics against you. In theory, you should be prepared against any of them. But if you have specific intelligence that your opponent plans to use Tactic X at Time Y at Location Z, that is especially useful. It is all the more so given that the question was leaked to Hillary but not Trump. If someone had leaked the question to both candidates in advance, then the Hillary advantage would be negated. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/86 "2016-11-03T20:35:26Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > It’s a debate, not an episode of _Jeopardy!_ What difference does it make if the candidate knows the questions in advance? It’s only important that the questions are about matters relevant to voters. The difference it makes is that it allows the candidate who gets the questions in advance the opportunity to craft a self-serving answer beforehand and appear (dishonestly, more than likely) to have been on top of the issue to begin with, whereas the other candidate gets caught flatfooted and has to come up with something on the fly, thereby answering the question less effectively and perhaps appearing not to have given the issue as much thought. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/87 "2016-11-03T20:36:44Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > . > > It is all the more so given that the question was leaked to Hillary but not Trump. If someone had leaked the question to both candidates in advance, then the Hillary advantage would be negated. Bernie, not Trump, as you already noted last page. To be totally objective, we have no idea whether she also sent questions to Sanders. His campaign manager’s email wasn’t hacked. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/88 "2016-11-03T20:38:25Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Bernie, not Trump, as you already noted last page. Whoops. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/89 "2016-11-03T20:45:28Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > It makes an enormous difference, because it was leaked to one contestant but not the other. By knowing a question in advance, a candidate can be prepared for it in advance in front of a massive television audience. Candidates can’t be prepared for every single one of the thousands of questions that could be asked, so this specific intel is vitally useful. So give the list to all candidates ahead of time. Debate performance isn’t indicative of potential presidential ability, anyway, since in a real crisis the president can (indeed _should_) call on advisers and make informed decisions. It’s never going to be “Madame President, civil war is brewing in Burundi. You have ninety seconds to outline American policy, _go!_” ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/90 "2016-11-03T21:11:07Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > What’s Comey got to do with this? Because when it comes to _'questionable actions taken with seeming intent to help one side of a partisan contest,_’ Comey has been in the news, recently. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/91 "2016-11-03T21:14:17Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > What’s Comey got to do with this? Because when it comes to the dozen or so FBI agents and officials about to be indicted for violating The Hatch Act, he tops the list. ---
**Author:** ![Victor\_Charlie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7ea924/32.png) [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/92 "2016-11-03T21:15:31Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Well, I don’t think it was lost in the national discussion either. It was brought up plenty, even if it wasn’t brought up at every mention of his name. And that point certainly got more play than the fact that even as an independent senator Bernie helped fundraise for Democrats and voted with them very reliably. > > Frankly, neither is really important here. The fact that it’s not surprising she’d cheat a little to help a fellow Dem is not an excuse. I’d wager it’s a fairly small number of voters out there who know Bernie hasn’t been an actual Democrat for decades. Regardless, if the best evidence of a rigged election is one candidate getting a softball question in advance of a debate, well, that’s barely any evidence at all. I can’t think of a less effective way of rigging a primary. Republicans should actually take heart because, based on this, it seems obvious the Democrats are pretty bad at rigging elections. It was foolish and unseemly for Brazille to do it and CNN is wise to cut all ties to her, but it didn’t help Hillary one whit. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/93 "2016-11-03T21:17:55Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > So give the list to all candidates ahead of time. Debate performance isn’t indicative of potential presidential ability, anyway, since in a real crisis the president can (indeed _should_) call on advisers and make informed decisions. It’s never going to be “Madame President, civil war is brewing in Burundi. You have ninety seconds to outline American policy, _go!_” It does help to already have basic knowledge of the situation to begin with. That way, you don’t have to start at kindergarten level stuff in the briefing and you understand what your advisors are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/94 "2016-11-03T21:50:29Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Because when it comes to _'questionable actions taken with seeming intent to help one side of a partisan contest,_’ Comey has been in the news, recently. > [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Because when it comes to the dozen or so FBI agents and officials about to be indicted for violating The Hatch Act, he tops the list. In other words, let’s not talk about this; let’s talk about that instead. I think if you look you’ll see there’s another thread going about your preferred subject. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/95 "2016-11-03T22:04:52Z")
> [@Victor\_Charlie](#): > > I’d wager it’s a fairly small number of voters out there who know Bernie hasn’t been an actual Democrat for decades. Regardless, if the best evidence of a rigged election is one candidate getting a softball question in advance of a debate, well, that’s barely any evidence at all. I can’t think of a less effective way of rigging a primary. Republicans should actually take heart because, based on this, it seems obvious the Democrats are pretty bad at rigging elections. It was foolish and unseemly for Brazille to do it and CNN is wise to cut all ties to her, but it didn’t help Hillary one whit. You kind of seem to not understand the subject of this thread. Yes, the OP mentioned “rigged election”, but of course this happened during the primaries. And it doesn’t amount to “rigging” as the word is usually used. No ballot boxes were stuffed here. But it once again highlights the lack of neutralty by DNC officials. So people (not accusing the OP of this) pushing this story are hoping to alienate Sanders supporters from Hillary. It also isn’t a matter of “softball questions”. No matter how much notice you get, a question about the death penalty isn’t a softball. And if Clinton got advance notice it almost assuredly helped her more than one whit. I wouldn’t be surprised if they group tested a few responses and then had time to practice the best answer. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/96 "2016-11-03T22:07:38Z")
The smallest shred of evidence of _rigging_ leaves people with the impression, of _if she’s willing to accept shady stuff like this_ we can only imagine what else she does, when know one’s looking. It all builds to major mistrust. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/97 "2016-11-03T22:29:24Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > In other words, let’s not talk about this; let’s talk about that instead. I think if you look you’ll see there’s another thread going about your preferred subject. Don’t be silly. You had asked: > [@CarnalK](#): > > So if it makes no difference then why bother passing the questions along? My answer (made on the assumption that anyone participating in the thread was entitled to answer), was that “why bother” had to do with Brazile wanting to brighten her career prospects by endearing herself to Clinton and her people. I then chose to mention that I don’t defend this Democrat’s careerist action any more than I defend the Republican’s. Granted, I don’t particularly expect you to care whether or not I was making excuses for one but not the other, partisan-style. But I felt like mentioning it, so I did. If it bothers you, you always have the option of making a Pit thread about it. But your claim that this was about changing the subject is both inaccurate and unobservant. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/98 "2016-11-03T22:47:31Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Don’t be silly. You had asked: > > My answer (made on the assumption that anyone participating in the thread was entitled to answer), was that “why bother” had to do with Brazile wanting to brighten her career prospects by endearing herself to Clinton and her people. > > I then chose to mention that I don’t defend this Democrat’s careerist action any more than I defend the Republican’s. Granted, I don’t particularly expect you to care whether or not I was making excuses for one but not the other, partisan-style. But I felt like mentioning it, so I did. Brazile has been working for the Dem campaigns and the party in general for 30 years and has risen up pretty high in the apparatus. If she’s passing stuff along to help her career, it’s useful stuff to pass along. So saying “she passed it along to help her career” is an obviously dodgy answer. “Also, look over there! Comey!” is equally dodgy. > [@](#): > > If it bothers you, you always have the option of making a Pit thread about it. But your claim that this was about changing the subject is both inaccurate and unobservant. It bothered me enough to make these two posts. That’s good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/99 "2016-11-04T03:08:41Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > …And the Minute that Donna Brazile runs for President, you should bring that up. Donna Brazile isn’t the only one implicated: the leaked info went to Hillary’s campaign chairman, and (presuming he was doing his job) on to her. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377/100 "2016-11-04T03:14:54Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Donna Brazile isn’t the only one implicated: the leaked info went to Hillary’s campaign chairman, and (presuming he was doing his job) on to her. Maybe his job also includes not involving Hillary in morally dubious shenanigans. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donna-brazile-supplied-debate-questions-to-hillary/770377.md?page=6)