The Second Presidential Debate: Actually, There's a Lot Going On
Despite the criticism of the town hall format, in many ways the second presidential debate was more substantive than the first session, and dramatically more so than the vice presidential debate last week. (I mean the real one, not the SNL version). Political junkies often say the town hall debate just regurgitates old news, but for many voters who haven't been paying attention and are just starting to think about the candidates, that's useful information. (Even more useful, if we may be so bold, is our Voter's Survival Kit, which points out many of the facts that the candidates skated over in the debate.)
We're also continuing our video commentary in partnership with VoterWatch's Blogging the Debates project. In the embedded video below, you can see our analysis of what the candidates were saying as you watch the debate video. Plus, you can get all our debate-related material, including transcripts of what the candidates said, and much more, at our new Debates 2008 page.
Tags: 
HELLO! There are MORE people running for President. How about the DEMOCRACY of the USA? How is limiting the choices to two by the media a fair process?
There is nothing fair about politics. Get real.
Why are they called debates when they are really only question and answer sessions?
Debates are when people of opposing views express them and then the other side refutes or agrees with what was said.
Anyway, the "debates" so far have proven to be nothing more than fluff. Neither Obama or McCain has had a chance to elaborate on what their actual proposals are. They have just been soundbites and extensions of their political advertisements.
Americans will only really find out where each stands on issues by thorough research on the Internet and more than looking at each candidate's website. The first place to research is the voting records of both candidates which are a better guide to what they will really do than what they are saying they hope to do.
Our system of government has for a long time been partial to the two party system. While it would be fantastic for every John Smith who wanted to be on TV to participate in this debate, unless you have your name on the ticket in enough states to stand even a bats chance in hell of winning, you shouldn't waste the air time.
O yeah, and the media isn't part of our democracy they can cover whatever they want and why would they take away time from the only 2 candidates who have a realistic shot of winning.
Post new comment