These Aren't Your Dad's Debates

Political Debates, especially those for the presidency are simply not what they used to be. In fact the only real debates according to many scholars were the Lincoln-Douglas debates that took place in the 1850's. These debates paired two equally qualified candidates, addressed issues important to each campaign and each candidate was given an equal amount of time. However with the introduction of several forms of technology such as radios and televisions it seems as if the paramaters for these types of debates has drastically changed. This was evident in the Kennedy-Nixon debates as radio listeners believed Nixon won the debate, while the majority of tv viewers believed Kennedy won the debate. It is almost as if technology and the media has disrupted the true nature of debates.

In a recent press release democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said he believes he and Senator Clinton's 21 debates have covered enough issues and he would no longer like to participate in anymore debates against the Senator. This is most likely due to the muckraking and mudslinging observed in the last Pennsylvania that led Obama to state that it took them 45 minutes before either candidate started actually talking about issues important to the American public. Another criticism of Obama is that each candidate can probably predict the other's answers and responses to questions becuase they have become used to the same old routine.

In a world obsessed with gossip, rumors and embarassing information it is no surprise that these types of things have seeped into political debates. If the media held candidates responsible for the issues and promises outlined in each candidate's platforms, perhaps debates would address issues that the American public would like to hear and base their decisions on.