The voters must take back the Presidential debates!

[IndianaGreen]

I remember when the Presidential Debates were real debates, with a real impartial moderator, and a distinguished panel of journalists, in which candidates were given the time to answer and expound on their views on major issues. There were no Judies, or Paulas, or Timmies trying to get their KO punch and the sound bite.

When the political machines of the 2-major parties took away the debates from the League of Women Voters, it did a disservice to the American people. Debates were won by the best prepped and coached candidate, not by the better candidate.

It is our fault that we allowed American democracy to degrade to the point that it has. The outrageous abuses of the Bush government are the culmination of years of neglect by us, the American people, of the liberties and democratic values that so many sacrificed their lives for.

I don't care what a candidate's favorite book, or philosopher, or artist happens to be. I don't care how tall or short the candidate is, or whether he is single or divorced. I don't care to hear how well rehearsed the candidate was in giving the TV audience a bland and safe answer on a thorny issue. I do care what the candidate's values are, and what he is going to do if elected.

There are Americans from all across the political spectrum that would like to change the way presidential debates are organized and conducted. I ask that you give them a fair hearing.



OPEN DEBATES APPLAUDS REP. KUCINICH

Open Debates, National Press Building, 529 14th St. NW, Suite 1201, Washington, DC 20045
November 25, 2003

OPEN DEBATES APPLAUDS REP. KUCINICH

WASHINGTON, DC -- Open Debates commends Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) for calling for open debates as part of his presidential campaign platform. "I believe in the power of open debates to restore higher values of democracy and voter education to the American political process," stated Rep. Kucinich.

"We applaud Rep. Kucinich's call for open debates," said Open Debates' Executive Director George Farah.

The bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has sponsored the presidential debates since 1988, when it seized control of the debates from the non-partisan League of Women Voters. The CPD is a private corporation that was established by the chairs of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee.

"CPD sponsored presidential debates have been little more than glorified press conferences, where candidates recite prepackaged sound-bites, and avoid discussing many important issues," said Farah.

http://www.opendebates.org/news/pressreleases/06252003.html

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

1. Check out how much better the debates were with the LWV

http://www.lwv.org/elibrary/video.html

[ErasureAcer]

2. if you got a car...you can pick me up here in Minnesota

and we'll storm the CNN stage tomorrow and take over the moderation.

sound like a plan?

[Leilani]

3. Tell it to the Dem & Repuke Parties

They have even gotten rid of League of Women's Voters.

They want to keep debates closed; I'd like to see 3rd parties included sometimes.

[IndianaGreen]

4. In Indiana, we get to see all of the candidates for state office on TV

We see the candidates from third parties, from Libertarian to New Party, included in TV debates for Governor or Mayor.

It is quite refreshing because the moderator is usually neutral, and he/she lets the candidates discuss the issues in-depth.

If we who live in the "backwoods" can do this, why the "sophisticates" that live in the Beltway cannot do the same with the Presidential debates?

[Desertrose]

5. good thread IG

:kick:
Deserves a kick to the top...

Dennis opened a door when he jumped that weasely Ted Koppel for his outrageous remarks....yup glorified press conferences with the chosen few allowed to speak.
:grr:

Its been so long since anything connected to the media has been "fair or balanced"...we are forgetting the way things used to be....and that is a very scary thing. Soon there will be no one left who remembers our "freedoms" and we simply accept our police state....very chilling indeed!!!

Peace & freedom!!
DR

[xray s]

6. This is a big issue-thanks for bringing it up IG

The debates do not belong to the Republican and Democratic parties. They do not belong to the corporate media.

The debates belong to US! We have to take the process back.

[texasmom]

7. Completely agree!

The debates are set up simply for entertainment purposes now, instead of to educate the voters. It's disgusting and dispiriting, but we do have to keep fighting.
This is another area where I am completely impressed with Kucinich's position.

[David Zephyr]

8. Kick!

I still love Kucinich going after Ted Koppel in the ABC "Debate".

Happy New Year, IG! :hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. In 1988

former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt spoke at the college where I was teaching.

He was appalled at our candidate selection process and its show-biz aspects. He had the following suggestion for the debates:

Have a different type of audience each time: small business owners, farmers, students, parents of small children, military personnel, and other such groups. Let audience members ask whatever they please, and let us see how well-informed the candidates are about each area. Let the questions be ones that ordinary people want to know.

Schmidt said a lot of other things, but I was really impressed and at the same time, frustrated that people of that quality rarely make it to the top in American politics. (Of course, being smart and well-informed is not considered a handicap in Europe.)

[Raya]

10. Need Serious discussions. These "debates" are pretty useless