Hold the Mayo

June 06, 2007

Debating the Debate

There are a lot of sites that are debating who won the latest round of debates. Some of them even have self-acknowledged statistically meaningless polls to figure out who won. But here's the thing these weren't debates and there were no winners or even the possibility of winning. All there was was the hope of not losing.

It was a group press conference and all the candidates had to do was get through the time without saying something incredibly stupid and damaging to their campaign. Like this, "We're not going to build fences and barriers" Other than that these things are useless. They are almost completely devoid of any meaningful content and the "winner" is usually the one who is described as "appearing the most presidential."

We need something better. We deserve something better.

First - eliminate the moderator and replace it with a referee.

No more of this question and answer crap. One issue to be announced at the start of the debate. Each candidate gets five minutes to outline their position on the issue of the night. Any candidate who strays too far off the topic or starts rebutting other candidates positions during this time will be asked to leave the stage.

Candidates would then get to speak in two minute intervals, in an order chosen at random, during which time they can rebut other candidates, attack other candidates or expand their positions. this will continue as long as time allows. Any candidate who strays too far off the designated topic will be asked to leave the stage.

At the end of the evening those candidates still on the stage will be given 3 minutes for a final statement. This statement must address the topic of the night or a relevant point made by a candidate during the course of the debate. Any deviation will result in the candidate's closing statement being brought to abrupt end and they will be asked to leave the stage.

Do you think there is a candidate in either party who would have the courage to agree to this format - even if it were not held on Fox?

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 06:04 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment

1 The real loser in the debate was our country!

Posted by: Mike at June 07, 2007 03:21 AM (A5s0y)

2 We should hand out the questions and let the candidates answer them in any order they choose. Rumsfield and McCain have demonstrated we do not need Big TV Egos asking the questions. Then rotate it around on a 2 minutes per candidate lights on/lights off...mike on/mike off format... candidates can respond to other candidates or answer the questions or make a mini-speech...

We don't need to feed the TV Big Ego Talking Head.. Candidates are supposed to act on their feet... 2 minutes to respond to another or answer questions: their choice... What they say and how they say it will help us see them in a true contest... Hillary will be flummoxed without her script... Ron Paul could fire off any innanity and then let em choose to chase him or make points... But no extra minutes for favorites or familiar names... just straight division of time and rotation of lights and mikes...

Posted by: AndyJ at June 10, 2007 03:24 PM (nBss3)

3 These are great IDEAS but in reality If these
rules were put into place We would not have any politicians left to rule the country !!!!
It would be MAYHEM !!! " Im telling y'as "
Im waiting for an ORIGINAL IDEA from a politition and Im waiting for complete disclosure ..... Who their consultantants are who ar their screen writers Then We can beat the shit out of ALL OF THEM .

Posted by: skinner at June 12, 2007 10:30 PM (M2KpF)

4 I swear to god its my keyboard thats the dummy
.......... I dont stutter it does this is an experiment , sorry bear with me , Im gonna type something I typed , above in the previous comment, and see if it adds syllables again Im not looking at the screen .. O K here it is consultamts OK I just realized what has been driving me nuts forever ITS THE KEY BOARD
I spilt shit on the left side and used something with acetone to clen it Its been spazzy ever since NEVER MINDINING

Posted by: skinner at June 12, 2007 10:41 PM (M2KpF)

5 how about instead of legitimizing the rule of politicians, we all back mike gravel's initiative for democracy. then we can have 'rule by the people'. got a nice ring to it, doesn't it. and it's out of copyright.

Posted by: al loomis at June 14, 2007 11:53 PM (vRo6a)

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