Can We All Agree That The BIG Loser In These Debates Is The Media?

[stopbush]

As Hillary pointed out last night, there have been 9 Democratic debates. One would think that after the first few "getting to know you" debates that the questions asked of the candidates would become more and more substantive. You'd think that we would have moved to specifics about policies and philosophies around the time it got down to two candidates.

But that's not happening. What continues to happen is the media and the debate moderators looking at the week's headlines and constructing questions that are 90% "gotcha" based. It's got all the reality of reality TV - none.

Instead of a real policy debate - a debate one imagines the two D candidates would relish - we're treated to a forum where the crowd sounds like they're attending a football game, rather than a serious political debate. And the media eats up the "excitement" coming from the crowd, because what is a serious adult discussion when compared to a circus that sells those advertised products?

For all their "you didn't answer my question" posturing, you'd think that at some point they'd stop and listen to the ridiculous questions they're asking. I can't blame either candidate for biting their tongue and thinking, "seriously? You've got us here for two hours and THAT'S what you choose to ask me?"

Is it any wonder that the most-interesting moments of last night's debates were NOT the moments of confrontation and sparks flying?

[artyteacher]

1. arent they making tons of money on them? eom

[stopbush]

2. Not really. The first D debate in October pulled in 15-Million viewers.

Subsequent debates have pulled half that.

You get better ratings airing reruns of The Love Boat.

[Fumesucker]

3. The League of Women Voters stopped sponsoring debates in 1988

The League stopped because the debates were becoming a joke, pushed that way by the demands of the two major parties.

Things haven't gotten any better in the meantime.

[Autumn]

4. How do they lose? I'm still waiting for wall to wall coverage of Hasserts rape of those young boys.

You know who Hasserts is don't you? The former Republican speaker of the house, a real family values guy? They didn't lose a fucking thing with those questions. That's how they roll.

[stopbush]

6. I think we all know who Hassert is.

[Autumn]

7. And you say they are the losers? That's what they do, they don't lose.

[stopbush]

8. You're ignoring my qualifier "in the debates."

Whether they're making money off the circus is a different matter.

[Autumn]

11. They didn't lose in the debates. The debates went just the way they wanted them to go. nt

[Orsino]

5. WE lose. They profit.

And they tend to profit no matter how shitty a job they do.

[yeoman6987]

9. There has been too many debates. 9 debates and they said absolutely nothing new

I think they should not have more then 3 debates for a primary.

[NCTraveler]

10. League of Women Voters needs to be back in control of our debates. nt.

[brooklynite]

12. During the commercial breaks, the floor manager kept asking the audience to "be respectful"...

...then, when we came back from commercial, the anchors would throw out another red meat question to get the audience worked up.