I just spent a little time — more than it deserved — watching The Yahoo Democratic Debate Mashup or whatever they're calling it. The word "debate" is in there and it shouldn't be because there's no debating whatsoever in it. It's just candidates being asked the same questions they've been asked many times, and then they're allowed to give their stock replies with an occasional follow-up softball from Charlie Rose. Some of the questions were posed by Bill Maher and the thing might have been interesting if Maher (or someone) had been able to ask real follow-ups…but of course, that never happens. Candidates like to sell us on the idea of how tough they are but when was the last time you saw one of them sit down for an hour of questioning by someone who was really prepared to challenge them on the issues? Rudy Giuliani wants us to think he's brave enough to take on Osama Bin Laden but he wouldn't even consent to an hour with Keith Olbermann.