ASK THE CANDIATES: ISSUE#1

America, there is looming crisis that I feel the Presidential candidates have failed to address:

TV stations serving all markets in the United States are airing digital television programming today, although most will continue to provide analog programming through February 17, 2009. At that point, full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed and put to other uses.

Thankfully, I allow Comcast to rape me on a monthly basis for basic cable service, and thus I am immune to this change, I will continue to have access to MSNBC, BET and the wonderful world that is network television. Also, I can still watch The Best of Soul Train on Saturday mornings. My country 'tis a thee yo!

But what about "the forgotten Americans"? Those that watch television with the aid of bunny ears, wire hangers and such, will be S.O.L. I feel this is a grave injustice that needs to addressed. Not everyone can afford a $60 adapter, or a new television equipped with a digital tuner.

With that in mind I decided to ask the candidates about their thoughts on this most important issue...

"Well, look, the -- I think it is important to lead. And I think this necessary change -- the fact is is that I support this change, and did so from the start. And, you know, I think it's important not to play politics on something that is as critical and as difficult as the need for superior broadcast quality. It is not easy to vote for digital television, because the fact is there are people out there still using bunny ears. And I'll let Hillary speak for herself, but the fact of the matter is that we need to exercise our best judgment, we need to make a change. And I think it's important for us to be clear about that."

"This is a fascinating question. They asked the Republicans, they asked the Democrats. And I think from -- irrespective of what you've already heard, I believe in making the transition to an all digital broadcasting format. I think we should have everybody helping us to make this change. And when I...when I become president, Bill Clinton, my dear husband, will be one of the people who will be sent around the nation as a roving ambassador to make sure that everyone's adapters are working, and the rest of the world will know that we're back to a policy of reaching out and working and trying to make sure honest, hard working Americans have access to all their favorite television programs."

"One of the greatest assets we have in America today, frankly is television. The two Democrat candidates for president say that they're going to unilaterally, they're going to support the switch to an all digital broadcasting format, and force the American people to buy an adapter to watch free, local television. Our biggest asset - free television - they're going to unilaterally abrogate that. Now, how do you think the American people are going to react to that - who we are enjoying now their enormous and invaluable programming options, and we're going to abrogate free television?