Dumb questions

Prior to the 1983 Chicago mayoral election, a radio station conducted back-to-back, one hour interviews with Democrat Harold Washington and his Republian opponent.

The first 45 minutes of Washington’s interview was comprised primarily of questions asking how he thought White voters would feel about a Black mayor.

As the final 15 minutes approached, Washington ignored the questions and voiced his positions about key city issues, despite the interviewer protesting that he wasn’t answering the questions that were asked.

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is on the receiving end of those same types of queries. He’s being asked why polls show him faring poorly among Black voters.

That, too, is a dumb question.

Interviewers should ask about issues that help help voters make up their minds about whom to vote for and these types of questions don’t do that.