Tonight, Mitt Romney will challenge incumbent President Obama for 90 minutes on domestic policy issues at the first presidential debate. Jim Lehrer of the PBS NewsHour will be the official moderator, but it seems there are many pundits, journalists, and policy experts who would like to take his seat. Here's a compilation of some of the best "Jim Lehrer should ask this at the debate tonight" questions floating around the web:
Robert Reich, Fmr. Secretary of Labor:
You've said that you have used every legal method to reduce your tax liability. You've also said that as president you would close tax loopholes in order to help finance a major across-the-board tax cut. What specific tax loopholes have you used that you would close?
John Healey, LA Times:
Is there a conflict between trying to get the economy moving again and narrowing the federal budget deficit? If so, where should Washington's focus be -- on growth or the rising debt?
Doyle McManus, LA Times:
Is there anything your opponent has proposed in this campaign that you would support?
John Hudak, Brookings Institution:
Transportation systems and infrastructure in the U.S. support the economic lives of businesses and consumers. Lately, infighting in Congress has changed a formerly bipartisan issue into a highly partisan one, leaving transportation underfunded and in need of assistance. What role do you see for the federal government in the context of transportation and what specific plans do you have to fulfill that role?
Aviva Shen, ThinkProgress:
How will you reconcile the federal government’s War on Drugs with state-level legalization efforts?
David Callahan, Demos:
Do you think economic inequality in America is a problem and, if so, how would you address it?
If you have the urge to back-seat moderate, too, leave your own questions for Jim Lehrer in the comments below.
