Posted on 11/13/2011 12:55:00 AM PST by South40
The first broadcast network presidential debate this year, which ended its national telecast and switched to a choppy livestream feed two-thirds of the way through the event, produced a storm of complaints from viewers across the country and two of the candidates on the no-frills debate stage in Spartanburg, S.C.
CBS’s foreign policy debate, co-sponsored by National Journal, offered unusually detailed discussion of policy and a format that was free of many of the literal bells and whistles of more slickly-produced face-offs. But the confusing format — the televised portion for most of the nation ended after an hour and viewers were expected to go to the Internet to see the final 30 minutes — led to widespread frustration among those following the debate.
A network spokeswoman, Sonya McNair, said its livestream had been overwhelmed by an unexpectedly large audience, and brushed off complaints. The final half-hour had been added, she said, for the benefit of South Carolina viewers.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
I don’t know why the GOP is still dancing for the msm. If I were in charge I’d make sure every debate were moderated by Republican/Conservatives period there would be none of this crap. Republicans gain nothing from this dance. It ends up with solid candidates made to look like fools while liberal favorites are benefited. It is really insane and it needs to change.
This was like cutting off a world title boxing match in the 8th round, and saying: go to the web to see the rest. THEN, not having enough bandwidth?! Totally ridiculous.
I wish they’d take the Cain/Gingrich debate model and simply work it out among themselves. The voters they’re trying to get will tune in, be it online or on cable. Who is watching this thing now, a year out? I am guessing the Republicans who vote in primaries will seek debates out.
I don’t need to hear another word from Bachmann, Paul, Huntsman or Santorum. If the others had their own debates, I’d learn more about those who have a chance at my vote. I’ll just not watch the others. Why can’t these Republicans think on their own and come up with something like this, something new? The days of these kinds of debates with hostile media boobs should be over—they will be soon. Why not take the initiative?
...unusally detailed discussion of policy??
Didn’t they give them one minute and then interrupt them often??
Wasn’t Romney the only one allowed to follow up most of the time?
Nope
Didn’t they give them one minute and then interrupt them often??
Yep
Wasn’t Romney the only one allowed to follow up most of the time?
Virutally every question.
Why can’t these Republicans think on their own and come up with something like this, something new?
Two of them did. It was a smash hit. But some here took the opportunity to slam it as well. Beck is regretful that he did not pickup the coverage of the Cain/Gingrich debate and vowed that he would if they carried more of them. The main problem is that the other candidates did not take after it as well.
CBS=Can`t Broadcast S**t
That was truly pathetic. Not two uninterrupted seconds could pass with the live feed seizing up. I was wondering if that was CBS` attempt to turn viewers away from the debate. That was the very first time I`ve ever seen a network cut television viewers off and redirect them to a pitifully subpar internet site, especially 2/3 the way through an event like that.
Bet that would never happen to a democrat debate... but of course things are always different when you`re hosting the boss.
There also weren't any "Coke or Pepsi?" questions.
Beyond that, the time keeping was atrocious with Perry cut off mid-answer because the last 30 min, broadcast online, had "run out of time." Interruptions during 60 second answers were at times out of hand. Follow-ups too often went to Romney.
“A network spokeswoman, Sonya McNair, said its livestream had been overwhelmed by an unexpectedly large audience, and brushed off complaints.”
Maybe we should simply “brush off” CBS.
Here, here! Every time there is a debate, we have another "incident" that gives fodder to the MSM to prove how stupid R candidates really are!!!!
Quit allowing them to do it! Go back to traditional campaigning!
I don’t know of the National Journal website feed was originating from a different server, but I had no problems over there.
The CBS site wouldn’t come up for me at all.
they could cancel all the remaining “romney shows” and i’d be perfectly happy.
the only thing that surprises me at this point is that they haven’t asked Michael Moore to moderate any of these yet.
*sigh*
The Romney show continues, and apparently is close to being cancelled based on them cutting away in the middle.
Thanks.
Who remembers cutting off a critical ending to an NFL game so the network could start the Sunday night Movie “Heidi” ???
That sure raised a ruckus.
Whomever at CBS thought this kind of a disjointed debate schedule would not raise anger sure deserves to go on the unemployment line.
Bad enough that with 12 debates, only about 3 are on channels I don’t have to pay for. That alone has me incensed.
Scott Pelly’s refusal to return to Bachmann, who he proclaimed politely actually sits on the Intelligence Committee, was disgraceful.
Instead he got disjointed answers from Ron Paul & continued to ignore Bachmann’s attempts to return to a subject she is very familiar with. Even if she is polling in the single digits, it was a disgraceful performance on Scott Pelly’s part.
In retrospect, I would have preferred fewer questions & a minute for EACH & EVERY candidate to answer that question.
This debate format was somewhat disjointed, IMO.
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