Watching the debate now and sort of following along with the liveblogs ... here is MSNBC on McCain's statements on Palin's Vice Presidential qualification that she is a special education expert:
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ON SPECIAL NEEDSWell, we new that already, didn't we. I am glad that the mainstream media are also aware of the candidate's lack of statements on special education. Maybe it won't be ignored in the next election.
From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
McCain mentioned that Palin knows more about the issue of autism than nearly anyone. What evidence is there of that?
Because Palin has a child with Down Syndrome, it can be safely assumed she feels a connection with parents of children with special needs.
But what does McCain-Palin specifically want to do about special education? Do they agree with IDEA? Do they want to expand rights for special-education students to private schools? Do they want to increase funding? Do they want more access, by way of funding, to special-ed advocates?
McCain also said they want to help find a cure. But how?
The NIH budget has been slashed in the past eight years. Does McCain-Palin propose additional funding, particularly for autism or Down's research?
We don't know. Nothing was or has been laid out.