"Calm, Cool..." makes a valid point which should be forwarded to Sean for consideration. Actually, what H & C has done is to adopt the Left's style of "non-debate," just talk-over rhetoric, which should be anathema to people who call themselves "conservatives" of American ideals.
Real debate of principles and issues, as contrasted with the more recent style adopted by Liberal Democrats of repetition of "talking points" and over-talking opponents, should be the mark of any who wish to preserve America's founding principles.
Sean should take the high ground, stating as clearly as possible his own point, and insisting that the "mouthpieces" of liberal "gobbledegook" either respect the rules of debate or have their mikes cut off. Otherwise, as happens often now, they (the liberals) eat up time (which is their goal) and rob their opponents of ability to develop logical points.
Sean and others who represent conservatism might consider Thomas Jefferson's words:
"In stating prudential rules for our government in society, I must not omit the important one of never entering into dispute or argument with another. I never saw an instance of one of two disputants convincing the other by argument. I have seen many, on their getting warm, becoming rude, and shooting one another. Conviction is the effect of our own dispassionate reasoning, either in solitude, or weighing within ourselves, dispassionately, what we hear from others. . . . It was one of the rules which, above all others, made Dr. Franklin the most amiable of men in society, 'never to contradict anybody.' If he was urged to announce an opinion, he did it rather by asking questions, as if for information, or by suggesting doubts. When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it? His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixote, to bring all men by force of argument to one opinion?" -- TITLE: To Thomas Jefferson Randolph. EDITION: Washington ed. v, 390. EDITION: Ford ed., ix, 232. PLACE: Washington
For youth, examples of intelligent debate on enduring principles and ideas are scarce. Conservatives need to take the high ground and expose the illogical, shouting idealogues of the Left for what they are--mouthpieces who are void of ideas, just full of platitudes and ugly accusations. Stooping to their level in style results in devaluing the conservative ideas folks like Sean should be articulating.
Good point -- I've seen Carville do this more than once.
Anyone have an insight where it started? My guess is, it came out of the Clinton campaign, the one in 1992.
Whatever, it's really verbal brawling, not debate. And you're right, that's what referees, moderators, and for that matter sergeants-at-arms are for -- if they won't play fair, they need to be kicked off the air or out of the hall and the debate awarded to the more honorable and observant side on principle.