Unworkable Multi Candidate Democratic Debate Format Prevents Clear Winners and Losers

[ddeclue]

Regarding an email sent to me by Jean-Pierre Ady Fenyo regarding last night's debate which erroneously claimed that either Biden or Richardson were the clear winners, I would have to say that no one "won" last night because of an unworkable debate format. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am an ardent supporter and a local grassroots organizer for Edwards.)

I found no one's performance (including Mr. Fenyo's favorites - Biden or Richardson) particularly outstanding nor did I really expect to do so. It is for all intents and purposes impossible to expect much from such a multi-candidate 8 on 8 format with no ability for the candidates to question each other.

It would be much better to have the various Democratic candidates (or even perhaps the various Democratic vs. the various Republican candidates) debate each other one on one at a variety of smaller forums around the country during the primary season.

This however this will never happen because the better polling candidates never want to legitimize the lesser polling candidates by appearing on the same stage with them.

Indeed such a circuit of wide spread one on one debates would really help to take control of the election out of the hands of those with money and put it into the hands of those with good ideas and popular support.

I envision a primary debating season something like a college basketball season with playoffs at the end where every team takes turns playing games with the other teams in one on one games during the regular season.

Better yet if these could be "town hall" type debates where the members of the audience rather than just professional journalists got to ask questions that were not "pre-screened" then this would go a long way towards providing spontaneity in the debate process and requiring the candidates to demonstrate that they can think quickly, intelligently, and creatively about the questions and respond in an articulate manner to them. It would help us break free of the sound bites.

If this type of one on one town hall style debating could be set up then the results of each one on one debate would be much clearer and winners and losers of each debate would be much more obvious.

It would also serve to bring back public interest in politics by resulting in many more debates with public participation at local civic centers or campus colleges around the country rather than just the few that normally take place in which very little actual debating occurs.


Respectfully,

Doug De Clue
Orlando, FL

[Warren Stupidity]

1. It is a candidate forum not a debate.

However I agree that last nights event was generally horrid. And I certainly agree that having some corrupt media shill belch out 'questions' was ridiculous.

[ddeclue]

2. Well it should have been a real debate not just a joint press conference.

Doug D.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. debates work one on one.

A forum could work, and we deserve to hear from all of the candidates, not just the media annointed ones. As you suggested at least a town hall type format would get questions of substance rather than idiocy about haircuts and moral leaders.

[ddeclue]

8. I'm not suggesting that the debate should just be Hillary vs. Obama

not at all.

For one thing I'm an Edwards guy and where would that leave ME?

I'm suggesting a series of debates where each of the 8 candidates gets to debate each of the other eight candidates perhaps twice or better yet the 8 dems + 4 republicans get to debate all twelve candidates from either party twice like in a college basketball season. That would actually serve to vastly level the playing field for the lesser polling or "unannointed" candidates.

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[fasttense]

3. I think they should stick to just one subject

but I don't need a clear winner and a loser in a debate. I like hearing all the opinions and deciding what I like and dislike about each of them. There were so many opinions and ideas up there it was a little overwhelming but it sure was energizing. I mean, I haven't heard so many good ideas and good opinions all in one place before. One of those Democratic candidates will be out next president and she/he wont be a bumbling idiot like we have now.

[ddeclue]

4. Yeah it's nice but I'd rather have a situation which promotes clear winners and losers.

Why do you think millions of people watch American idol and all the other reality TV?

Because there is competition and winners and losers.

I'd rather see a much larger series of one on one debates and even Democrat vs. Republican one on one debates so that I can have a much clearer picture of who will be the best President.

Doug D.

[splat]

6. It was just the preliminary swimsuit competition

Let's all sing, "Getting to Know You"...

For most of America, this was useful, I think. Who had ever seen Mike Gravel before?

[ddeclue]

7. Yeah but who wants to see Mike Gravel in his swimsuit?

Yikes!

Doug D.

[bighart]

9. So much for concern about the environment and responsible spending.

"WASHINGTON -- A flock of small jets took flight from Washington Thursday, each carrying a Democratic presidential candidate to South Carolina for the first debate of the political season.

For Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden, it was wheels up shortly after they voted in favor of legislation requiring that U.S. troops begin returning home from Iraq in the fall.

No one jet pooled, no one took commercial flights to save money, fuel or emissions.

All but Biden, who flew on a private jet, chartered their flights -- a campaign expense of between $7,500 and $9,000."

I find appalling!!!

[Wilber_Stool]

10. What I saw was more like a game show.

A combination of "Who wants to be President of the USA" and "Are you smarter than a fifth grader."
Just who wrote those fucking questions?