Campy Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 This has probably been addressed, so forgive me if I'm being redundant, but whatever happened to presidential debates? I don't mean the made-for-TV sound-bite BS we've seen over the last twenty-some odd years, I mean true debates. I remember watching candidates being forced to go "off message" and have to think on their feet. I also remember the last true debate was Reagan-Mondale, which Reagan won handily. The modern presidential debate is IMO nothing more than infomercials, and unless one person puts his foot in his mouth, there is no real winner or loser. They're so scripted and contrived with all of their silly rules -can't use notes, must sit/stand, cannot address each other, limiting topics, etc., they've become a farce. I remember the League of Women Voters sponsoring them back in the 70's, but they haven't since Reagan-Mondale, which again, I consider the last true presidential debate. They had a panel of moderators, no set topics, and made for good lessons in debate AND democracy. Did the LWV disband? Did they get sick of the politicos' BS? Whatever happened to LWV & true presidential debates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 They're still around. http://www.lwv.org/index2.html I dont know why they stopped sponsering the debates. Maybe it was because of all the rules that each party wanted to implement. It is as you say, nothing more than a stump speech for the most part. With both sides spouting alot of stevestojan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobody Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 It's all soundbites now. I'm waiting for the ad placements to be put on the candidates suits. They can start wearing outfits like race car drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 It's all soundbites now. I'm waiting for the ad placements to be put on the candidates suits. They can start wearing outfits like race car drivers. 61993[/snapback] That's funny. Sadly, the idea isn't all that far fetched... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 That's funny. Sadly, the idea isn't all that far fetched... 62006[/snapback] '08 or '12 at the latest...instead of a pitcher and glasses, we see bottles of Evian on the podiums. That's how it starts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 '08 or '12 at the latest...instead of a pitcher and glasses, we see bottles of Evian on the podiums. That's how it starts... 62065[/snapback] You mean NASCAR sport coats are next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobody Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 '08 or '12 at the latest...instead of a pitcher and glasses, we see bottles of Evian on the podiums. That's how it starts... 62065[/snapback] Evian? Isn't that French? They'll have to find some "Freedom Water" instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain America Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Evian? Isn't that French? They'll have to find some "Freedom Water" instead. 62095[/snapback] Yea how about some Poland Springs instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Or maybe each candidate will just give their sound-bite, and refer everybody to their web-site for an actual answer to the question! Next question... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadDad Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 This has probably been addressed, so forgive me if I'm being redundant, but whatever happened to presidential debates? I don't mean the made-for-TV sound-bite BS we've seen over the last twenty-some odd years, I mean true debates. I remember watching candidates being forced to go "off message" and have to think on their feet. I also remember the last true debate was Reagan-Mondale, which Reagan won handily. The modern presidential debate is IMO nothing more than infomercials, and unless one person puts his foot in his mouth, there is no real winner or loser. They're so scripted and contrived with all of their silly rules -can't use notes, must sit/stand, cannot address each other, limiting topics, etc., they've become a farce. I remember the League of Women Voters sponsoring them back in the 70's, but they haven't since Reagan-Mondale, which again, I consider the last true presidential debate. They had a panel of moderators, no set topics, and made for good lessons in debate AND democracy. Did the LWV disband? Did they get sick of the politicos' BS? Whatever happened to LWV & true presidential debates? 61896[/snapback] Not sure of which debate it was exactly but I think it was the Reagan Mondale debates were the last. After that the two parties got ahold of the process and it's gone downhill from there. The two major parties control the whole process now and the comission is co-chaired by a former head of the DNC and a former head of the RNC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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