2008 Presidential Election: Who are you voting for?

[KSigkid]

I didn't know where else to post this, because essentially every thread has become a "let's bash the opposing candidate" battle, rather than a political discussion. But, I thought Lehrer did a good job moderating the debate last night. I think he walked a good line between letting the candidates speak, and stepping in when needed.

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I didn't know where else to post this, because essentially every thread has become a "let's bash the opposing candidate" battle, rather than a political discussion. But, I thought Lehrer did a good job moderating the debate last night. I think he walked a good line between letting the candidates speak, and stepping in when needed.

You know - I noticed that too. I felt like last night was more of a traditional debate where they were allowed to go back and forth and react to each other's statements. In the past it was more like Question-Answer-Answer-Next Question-Rebut the first Question-Rebut the rebuttal and so on. It just got too twisty-turny when they were still going on about the first issue 30 minutes later.

Although I didn't turn it on until a half hour in, I have to say that I didn't really hear or learn anything that I didn't already know. Which makes me wonder if these things aren't put on to see who can deliver the most one-liners. There is some value in determining who can think on his feet, but the questions are pretty general and expected. Presidential debates probably had more value back in the day before 24-hour news channels and the internet - before we were bombarded with Presidential Politics at every turn.

I like this thread. Some of the others are hard to get to the substance because of all the gratuitous bashing.

[bluefish81]

Originally Posted by jwright25

Although I didn't turn it on until a half hour in, I have to say that I didn't really hear or learn anything that I didn't already know. Which makes me wonder if these things aren't put on to see who can deliver the most one-liners. There is some value in determining who can think on his feet, but the questions are pretty general and expected. Presidential debates probably had more value back in the day before 24-hour news channels and the internet - before we were bombarded with Presidential Politics at every turn.

I like this thread. Some of the others are hard to get to the substance because of all the gratuitous bashing.

It doesn't sound like I missed much by not seeing the debate since I was traveling back from vacation. Not going to bother watching it on YouTube either - I'll just catch up with the VP debate and the other Presidential debates. It was so wonderful to not see campaign ads for 10 days.