Question for journalists on DU re: MAGA tactic

[Coexist]

So I think we've all noticed that JDV, Lewandowski and other TFG surrogates, have established a pattern of responding to a question with, "well tell me if you think ABC!" and bring up something racist or conspiratorial, or completely off-topic.

The interviewer repeats their question, and on and on, and eventually the surrogate will say, "I'll answer your question when you answer mine."

At that point, why don't any of the interviewers stop, and say, "look this is not a coffee talk conversation. You AGREED to come on my show/sit down for this interview, and that means I ask the questions and you answer. That's how interviews work. If you want my opinion on topics, you should invite me on your show/podcast, and we'll switch roles."

I mean - NO ONE calls them out on the fact that THEY'RE the ones being interviewed.

TFG did a version of the same thing, but instead of the above, generally says, "that's a nasty question" or something.

Is there some unwritten rule that you can't point that out, or an agreement that questions can go both ways? Because the way they're handling these situations is weak sauce.

Thanks,

[Dennis Donovan]

1. Ari Melber is too permissive with his "guests" particularly the hostile ones.

He needs to shut that tactic down early on, but he keeps giving them opportunities to try to derail the interview. Talking about Lewandowski, especially.

[Coexist]

2. I agree, but JDV just did the same thing with the NYT

it's def a tactic, IMHO