Affirmative Action
by Kegler

Each clue has an extra word separating the definition from the word play (removal of this word may destroy the surface sense of the clue, but will not affect either the definition
or the word play).  The first letters of these words, when read in clue order, propose a question that is answered by the otherwise unclued entries at 1 and 35 Across.

Affirmative Action grid

Across
1See instructions
6Garnish includes a small shot (5)
9Predator stalks the French, old chum (7)
10Sea mammal native in two west coast states (4)
12Draws torsos, arms and legs for the audience (5)
15Top-notch attorney introduces opera (4)
16Bending line; try tracing in a sluggish way (7)
17America pursuing wrong subordinate channel (5)
19Sue refined her application (3)
20In sharing, worker replaces piece, observantly looking ahead (12)
22Awkwardly rationalizes controversial achievements (12)
24Not many keep iron and tungsten (3)
26Take down innocuously funny pun, for example (5)
28Source of aluminum near location of pitcher's error, we hear (7)
30Fled one grotesque Hindu queen (4)
31Extremely crazy streets having abnormal bumps (5)
32That operator holds one on (4)
33Strange pick, furnishing bed in worker's control room (7)
34Broken thorn yields point (5)
35See instructions
Down
1Cries over one-third of yearly records (5)
2Do I look back, carrying unusual mixture? (4)
3At first, jump on bedcover, almost marring flower (7)
4Hybridize a zinnia, to its ill-fated sterilization (12)
5Lean nearer initially, in hypnotized state, grasping for clarity (12)
6Farewell, handsome lad, I eulogized internally (5)
7Quietly assess teenagers' chatter (5)
8Fires engulfing, in the distance, beautiful valleys (7)
11Mostly calm area extolling Italian dish (7)
13Starts to mix ingredients natural to chocolate candy (4)
14Call for help occurs; thus, start to scream (3)
18Imprecise measurement in deed by former spouse? (7)
20In a bar, a confused, excitable horse (7)
21Old picture actor's tiny pet moving tail? (7)
23Decides youngster smashed post (4)
24Loud juror doesn't begin earsplitting uproar (5)
25Hoist saintly women in church (5)
26Our group starting to consider medical school (3)
27Surge of initially ardent enthusiasm (5)
29Envelope admonition needed by Tennessee (4)

Solution