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Why not a debate with candidates of both parties before the primaries?
Republicanprofessor | 10/14/15 | Republicanprofessor

Posted on 10/14/2015 1:41:34 PM PDT by Republicanprofessor

As I drifted off to sleep to the first Democratic debate last night, I realized that all of these candidates are 1) preaching to the choir and 2) competing to see who can re-package traditional Democratic ideas in the most appealing way. “I’ll give more freebies than you….free college, free health care” etc. There was little contesting of those ideas. No one considered who would pay for such socialism, apart from “the rich.” Republicans need to directly challenge these ideas.

The same held true for the Republican debates….most of the same ideas (control of immigration, stronger foreign policy etc.) are also shared by many of the candidates. They, too, may be preaching to the choir, since how many people really watch the debates of the candidates of the opposite party? How many people even read or listen to ideas from the other side? It is much more comforting to read postings that reinforce how you feel.

So why don’t we have the first bi-partisan debate with Sanders and Clinton side by side with Trump, Carson, Fiorina, Cruz, Rubio and/or Jeb? It would be much more interesting to see this kind of a debate of ideas than the usual, predetermined debates. And many would tune in to see this, especially with Trump in the race. It would also test our candidates nicely in terms of policies, ideas and presentation, especially against the opposing party. How great it would be to do this before the first primaries! We might even have more informed voters.

Such a bi-partisan debate format would be a great forum to present conservative ideas to the entire electorate. Furthermore, these ideas need to be presented forcefully, throughout the next year, to all constituencies, including those that the GOP may have ignored in the past: millennials, Hispanics, African-Americans and women. Having a bi-partisan debate would put our ideas into clearer contrast with the Democrats and, I hope, encourage thought by all. I think such a debate would be fascinating, especially if it occurred before any of the primaries. Can you imagine how lively the foreign policy discussion could be? Would Hillary have the guts to accept the challenge from the GOP to debate before the primaries? Let’s invite her and see…..


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: debates; election

1 posted on 10/14/2015 1:41:34 PM PDT by Republicanprofessor
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To: Republicanprofessor

“So why don’t we have the first bi-partisan debate with Sanders and Clinton side by side with Trump, Carson, Fiorina, Cruz, Rubio and/or Jeb? “

You just answered your own question.


2 posted on 10/14/2015 1:43:35 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: Republicanprofessor

Because the Democratic candidates won’t fair well in the real rough and tumble when they don’t know the questions in advance and have canned focus tested answers.


3 posted on 10/14/2015 1:44:47 PM PDT by Gen.Blather
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To: Republicanprofessor

Great idea.

My own is that each candidate selects a debate moderator to ask the questions.

For example Ted Cruz might ask Dick Cheney to be a moderator.


4 posted on 10/14/2015 1:48:18 PM PDT by Williams (Dear God, please save us from the Democrats. And the Republicans.)
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To: Republicanprofessor

MILEY CYRUS TO PERFORM ALL NUDE CONCERT

Ah , what about


5 posted on 10/14/2015 1:48:41 PM PDT by butlerweave
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To: Gen.Blather

Yes, and have Rush Limbaugh as the mediator! That would be well worth watching!


6 posted on 10/14/2015 1:49:40 PM PDT by princess leah
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To: Williams

Great idea!
Little chance of it happening.

Sort of like having the Republican primaries sequenced from the greatest R margin in the 2012 POTUS election to the least.


7 posted on 10/14/2015 1:51:03 PM PDT by nascarnation
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To: Republicanprofessor

Well, because it ain’t gonna happen.


8 posted on 10/14/2015 1:52:03 PM PDT by dforest
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To: princess leah

“Yes, and have Rush Limbaugh as the mediator! That would be well worth watching!”

I haven’t owned a TV since the O’jay trial. But I would rush out and buy one for that debate!


9 posted on 10/14/2015 1:53:17 PM PDT by Gen.Blather
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To: Republicanprofessor

So why don’t we have the first bi-partisan debate

*************

Who is we? The current political parties control their own debates. I know of know entity
that has the control over each of them so as to mandate they have a debate with a couple
of candidates from each party.

The Commission on Presidential Debates will be invovled once the nominees are selected.

http://www.debates.org/index.php?page=overview


10 posted on 10/14/2015 2:03:45 PM PDT by deport
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To: Republicanprofessor

They’re looking for ways to raise ratings for Dem Debates.

No, thanks.


11 posted on 10/14/2015 2:12:25 PM PDT by Kenny
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To: Republicanprofessor
Not just no, but...

HELL NO!

12 posted on 10/14/2015 2:16:44 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (It's beginning to look like "Morning in America" again. Comment on YouTube under Trump Free Ride.)
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To: Kenny

Not only that, it helps them determine who’s best against our candidates on the fly.

Why should we aid that?


13 posted on 10/14/2015 2:17:26 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (It's beginning to look like "Morning in America" again. Comment on YouTube under Trump Free Ride.)
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To: Gen.Blather

The Republicans yell at each other. The Democrats are boring and sing kumbuya all night. There’s was boring, but ours was a circus. The two cannot mesh.


14 posted on 10/14/2015 3:02:33 PM PDT by napscoordinator (Walker for President 2016. The only candidate with actual real RESULTS!!!!! The rest...talkers!)
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