There are far too many debates this season, 17-19* in 2011; 2007 saw 15 but started earlier.
The three all in Iowa are particularly vexing. In 2007, Iowa had 1 of 2 December debates.
Dec 10th it's in Des Moines on ABC. The 15th Sioux City on Fox. Dec 19th it's back to Des Moines but on PBS & Youtube.
Does anyone believe Des Moines, Iowans, are such fantastically probing questioners that they should get two opportunities in nine days?
There to too many debates, too many participants and the Q&A is too shallow and repetitive. This season it's quantity over quality to be sure.
Actually there's a debate left out of that schedule. It's Nov 5th, Cain vs Gingrich doing Lincoln-Douglas style sponsored by Texas Tea Party Patriots.
Personally I'm disgusted in the way the Republicans have allowed themselves to be manipulated in these debates. CNN...MSNBC...Politico...why are these debates being sponsored by the liberal media? And why do the "moderators" have to be anchorpeople from these liberal media outlets?
When the Democrats are looking to take back the White House, do they put their candidates on FoxNews and have their debates moderated by conservatives?
I feel that the debates are necessary. They are the only medium in which I've been able to take a good look at the candidates and see how quickly they think on their feet and how prepared they are for the office they seek. However, the structure of the debates need to be changed to allow for longer and more substantive answers.
Also, can we please dispense with the "gotcha" man-on-the-street questions from gay soldiers and sad-sack moms on welfare. The Republicans should choose moderators that are in tune with conservative values that will ask intelligent questions on topics that the American people want to hear about.
Why not have folks like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity or Mark Steyn moderate the debates? Or Sarah Palin, since she doesn't want to run herself this year. Rush Limbaugh for example commands a radio audience of 40 million people. One can only imagine how many people will tune into a debate moderated by him. Certainly more than some dweeb from MSNBC.