There has been a great deal of discussion in the media about how poor Democratic frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton was repeatedly ”attacked” by her seven male rivals at the October 30th Democratic presidential debate at Drexel University in Philadelphia -- from every corner and issue – her “electability”, social security, Iraq, etc.
However, when she appeared, at first, to endorse New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and then changed her mind, her opponents saw a golden opportunity to “get” her. That then set up the next scene where the Clinton camp is now whining about sexism and her opponents are accusing her of playing the gender card.
Are the Democrats Crazy?
Senator Barack Obama of Illinois proclaimed in the debate that “now is
the time” to begin drawing tough distinctions with Mrs. Clinton. He
accused her of “changing positions whenever it’s politically
convenient.”
But what are all of these candidates thinking?
Do they really believe that all of this intra-party bickering helps their goals and hurts the Republicans’ chances of keeping the White House?
At the end of the day, is not the purpose of these debates to discuss the issues the American electorate is most concerned about?
The way the candidates treat each other reveals their self-respect, civility and sense of public decorum. Only one voice on that stage got it. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico scolded the others: “You know what I am hearing here; I am hearing this holier-than-thou attitude toward Senator Clinton and it’s bothering me because it’s pretty close to personal attacks that we don’t need. The important thing is that we need to stay positive. We need to have disagreements on the issues….”
The History News Network provides an article titled “History Proves that Presidential Debates Matter” by Rick Shenkman who writes that in every case since the first presidential debate in 1960, the perceived winners have always gone on to win the presidency.
But, remember: in the beginning, the debates were only between the parties’ nominees: Kennedy vs. Nixon in 1960.
After that, the next debate was not held until 1976 when Carter easily “won” over Ford but in 1980 found himself facing the pro of television pros – Ronald Reagan.
Considering the current hoopla with Hillary’s flip-flops, it is ironic, as CNN reminds us, that it was Bill Clinton in 1992 who established a new “town hall” format that included other candidates. He wanted to influence “swing voters” as well as get people talking about the economy and the need for a federal health care plan.
And so, here we are with a CNN/Opinion Research poll announcing that Clinton’s lead over Barack Obama has now fallen by 11 points. She now leads by 44 percent to 25 percent. A month ago, Clinton was on top by 30 points, 51 percent to 21 percent. OK – is Bush happy now?
If the presidential candidates continue to abuse their parties’ debating forums, turning them into the equivalent of mudwrestling, I believe that we should go back to the original 1960 format. After the Democratic and Republican conventions have nominated their candidates, we will have a serious debate between the two nominees that is substantial and responsible.
What we are witnessing now on television is an insult to the intelligence of all Americans.
But what are all of these candidates thinking?
Do they really believe that all of this intra-party bickering helps their goals and hurts the Republicans’ chances of keeping the White House?
At the end of the day, is not the purpose of these debates to discuss the issues the American electorate is most concerned about?
The way the candidates treat each other reveals their self-respect, civility and sense of public decorum. Only one voice on that stage got it. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico scolded the others: “You know what I am hearing here; I am hearing this holier-than-thou attitude toward Senator Clinton and it’s bothering me because it’s pretty close to personal attacks that we don’t need. The important thing is that we need to stay positive. We need to have disagreements on the issues….”
The History News Network provides an article titled “History Proves that Presidential Debates Matter” by Rick Shenkman who writes that in every case since the first presidential debate in 1960, the perceived winners have always gone on to win the presidency.
But, remember: in the beginning, the debates were only between the parties’ nominees: Kennedy vs. Nixon in 1960.
After that, the next debate was not held until 1976 when Carter easily “won” over Ford but in 1980 found himself facing the pro of television pros – Ronald Reagan.
Considering the current hoopla with Hillary’s flip-flops, it is ironic, as CNN reminds us, that it was Bill Clinton in 1992 who established a new “town hall” format that included other candidates. He wanted to influence “swing voters” as well as get people talking about the economy and the need for a federal health care plan.
And so, here we are with a CNN/Opinion Research poll announcing that Clinton’s lead over Barack Obama has now fallen by 11 points. She now leads by 44 percent to 25 percent. A month ago, Clinton was on top by 30 points, 51 percent to 21 percent. OK – is Bush happy now?
If the presidential candidates continue to abuse their parties’ debating forums, turning them into the equivalent of mudwrestling, I believe that we should go back to the original 1960 format. After the Democratic and Republican conventions have nominated their candidates, we will have a serious debate between the two nominees that is substantial and responsible.
What we are witnessing now on television is an insult to the intelligence of all Americans.
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