I got invited to go out and listen to some music Saturday night with some friends

[Armstead]

Normally, I realize my social life is irrelevant here on DU. But in this case...

I was out with a few friends the other night, including a couple of people who are very interested in news and politics, and usually make it a point to watch events like debates. They started talking about what was going on Saturday, and someone suggested going to hear this jazz group at a local restaurant.

I agreed, the only thought I had was missing was the new episode of Dr. Who.

But next day I realized that Saturday night was the next Democratic Debate. Caused a minor quandry. Will probably skip it and try to catch a rerun. Or I might bail on the plans....Maybe my friends will decide to watch the debate when they realize it. Maybe not.

The point is that this debate has been so badly scheduled -- and so little promoted beforehand -- that it might as well be held at 3 a.m. on Sunday.

If it never occurred to people who pay attention because having a political debate on a Saturday night is so incongruous, how likely is it that people who don't follow as closely are going to miss it?

Bad planning to put it mildly.

[Divernan]

1. The timing was deliberately "bad".

[ibegurpard]

2. indeed

And in the meantime all that is being talked about is the Republicans.

[Fumesucker]

3. Not badly scheduled at all for the purposes of she who did the scheduling

In fact I'd be hard pressed to think of a better schedule for those purposes.

[Armstead]

8. Objectrively speaking, they screwed up if they're trying to help Clinton

Overall the first debate helped Clinton "rehabilitate" her image and get her campaign back on track.

That may have not been foreseen by the planners of the debates. Dunno.

But if their goal was to keep competition to Clinton under wraps, and "protect her" from the exposure, they're probably going "Oh shit, we screwed up" behind the scenes.

[Fumesucker]

9. I tend to think the objective is to protect the establishment

Given that Clinton has an overwhelming number of establishment endorsements she is clearly the establishment candidate on the D side...

The Republicans have a similar problem, their debates have allowed Trump and Carson, definitely not establishment candidates, to climb to the top of the heap.

I imagine the Republican establishment is woefully regretting so many debates now as they try to figure out how to rid themselves of these troublesome rabble rousers.

[Armstead]

10. In this case the Establishment being Clinton (TM)

as it has been for 25 years

[brooklynite]

4. How likely is it that people who don't follow as closely are going to care?

The average voter isn't waiting with bated breath for each debate, forum, or JJ dinner speech. They'll read about it in the paper on Sunday, or watch a news clip. The bulk of the audience will be political junkies and pundits. The only reason the GOP debates have done so well is viewership is people tuning in for the entertainment value of Donald Trump.

[Armstead]

7. There would be more of an audience on a weeknight and debates are good

I can't believe there are Democrats who are so dismissive of a basic element of the political process.

And if all people get from the debates are the usual pundit bloviating about whatever "gotcha" moments might arise on one side or the otehr, that is a disservice.

Face it the Democratic leadership (one in particular) screwed the pooch on the whole debate thing, whether purposely or by incompetence.

[restorefreedom]

5. it was intentional, but it ultimately will not work

if i were you i would go out and have a nice time. i am sure there will be several rebroadcasts of the debate.

[UglyGreed]

6. Don't want those younger

voters around to watch the debate. But they will see it, learn about it via social media, thank God for internet.

[treestar]

11. Most people can tape TV shows

Now you don't have to be there at the time in question to see it.

[Armstead]

14. That creates an artificial barrier.....Debates shoold be as accessiblke as possible

If decide to go out, I will use my Internet saviness to find a streaming version on the Internet later.

But a lot of people either don't have the ability to do that or tape shows for whatever reason. Requires eitehr paying extra for one of those services, or adapting the VCR technology.....or digging through the TV scheduled to maybe find a rebroadcast.

The idea of democracy should be that debates are made as easy as possible for as many people to watch as it happens.

I frankly find it baffling that Democrats, which is supposedly the party of inclusion, are defending limiting access to debates and putting hurdles in the way of them getting to as many people as possible.

[Codeine]

12. Anyone who wants to see it can DVR it

or watch a rebroadcast. They're usually shown multiple times to fill up weekend airtime.

I think you're overestimating the general public's appetite for this stuff, however. Most people are happy to get their debate news like any other news, after the fact and in easily-digested soundbites. I just don't think your average tv viewer is desperate for twenty debates.

[Fumesucker]

13. The Republican debates sure seem to be driving the conversation and the polls

Of course the WWE is more popular than A Prairie Home Companion too...

[Armstead]

15. To spare my my typing fingers...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251802593#post14

[Codeine]

17. I get you,

but I just don't think that casual audience exists anymore. I'm not convinced most people particularly give two shits about sitting down and watching a two or three hour debate.

Fumesucker's point about driving the news cycle is more compelling to me, but that would work regardless of time slot.

I'm obviously not arguing that we should be restricting democracy or whatever, I'm just saying the general public doesn't seem to care about watching primary debates.

[Autumn]

16. To put it mildly, DWS planned it just that way. Hillary is well known. Bernie is not.

[in_cog_ni_to]

18. Invite them over to watch the debate with you! Then hit the restaurant /jazz band afterward.

But yeah, I agree. The deliberate crappy days SUCKS. It's what DWS planned to help The Hillary!

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

[Armstead]

19. Not an insurmountable problem for me...But multiply that by millions

Including those who would rather just go out or watch Dr. Who. (That's the real dilemma )

[in_cog_ni_to]

20. Indeed!

Not everyone is a political junky - like some people we know.

DWS knew exactly what she was doing.

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. I honestly believe it is scheduled this way on purpose. nt