| REVIEWER | RATING & REVIEW |
 | irishgit (151)
05/26/2008 | Understand that television debates are the subject of negotiations between networks and campaign staff, and are of a complexity to make hammering out the average free-trade agreement look like buying a pack of gum.
Everything, from the questions to be asked, to the participants, to the timing etc. is agreed beforehand. There is no way that any campaign with sense is going to allow itself to be put in the position of direct (and unprepared) questions from the opponent.
(4 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | James76255 (23)
03/04/2008 | It's another idea that sounds interesting, but they proved this year it doesn't work that well. They tried it in one of the Republican debates and it was just awkward. It's probably a better idea to have a few select questions from voters asked by the moderator.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 1 agree) |
 | VirileVagabond (37)
12/08/2006 | I'm guessing (as did some prior reviewers) that allowing the presidential candidates to pose questions to each other will degrade into a gotcha contest, something that is far too common as things stand. The current format may be "scripted" as some have suggested and the answers given set far in advance no matter the actual questions from the moderators, but this is probably better than this alternative. Nevertheless, I wouldn't mind seeing at least one of the debates in this format to see what shakes out and see who thinks best on their feet and who first resorts to gotcha politics (hence the three stars).
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | abichara (63)
11/01/2006 |  Either way. Believe it or not, unless a candidate really messes up, the debates rarely have much significance in the outcome of the vote. Debates are very scripted events that are designed to allow the candidates to restate their campaign ads and platforms to a wider audiences. That's why I only watch these with a passing interest, nothing new is ever said. Allowing each candidate to ask each other questions will only mean that the debate will turn into a slugfest of 'who said, she said', rather than a debate about the issues. At the end of the day, each side says that their guy won the debate and the media calls the winner based on stylistic rather than substantive reasons. Remember that the TV media in the famous 1960 elections pitting Richard Nixon against John F. Kennedy called the debate in favor of Kennedy primarily because Nixon was sweating bullets during the performance because he was ill. Radio audiences called it for Nixon purely on substance alone. Pass on this idea. The use of TV allowed the audience to draw a visual distinction, and therefore judge the candidate based on not only their words, but their gestures and other non-verbal forms of communication. In that respect, Kennedy won the debate.
(6 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Vudija (98)
02/27/2006 | Djahuti: I'm with you on that! I think that, for a true debate, we need to lose the scripts. The rules I understand, because no one wants to watch a mud-slinging contest, but the scripts have got to go. I want to know that the candidates can handle themselves and can think on their feet. Being quick of mind is something that could serve a leader well.
(6 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Drummond (60)
02/27/2006 | This would improve the process immeasurably. Right now, they're just simultaneous press conferences, with softball questions.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Djahuti (57)
02/27/2006 | Yes! I want a REAL debate-not this scripted,wimpy,namby pamby crap we get now.I think a world leader should be able to think on his or her feet,don't you?
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Redoedo (41)
10/22/2005 | It depends. Ultimately, most politicians are going to merely use the questions as an open forum for political posturing. At least with moderators, there is at least the possibility of a meaningful question being asked.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | GenghisTheHun (177)
10/18/2005 | Make it a real debate using debate rules rather than the media personalty gotcha sessions that we have now.
(5 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | 37102002 (2)
01/30/2005 | i would like to think the candidates would be civil enough to ask either other polite yet demanding questions, but i dont believe we are at that level in today's political world. It would break down into shouting and accusations, and the whole process would demean the office of the presidency. better to let a moderator ask the questions.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
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