Presidential Debates
 

As the local political junkie, I thought I'd remind everyone about the Presidential & VP Debates:

1st Pres. Debate, Foreign Policy- Sept. 30
VP Debate- Oct. 5
2nd Pres. Debate, Town Hall Style- Oct. 8
3rd Pres. Debate, Domestic Issues- Oct. 13

All the debates are televised on major networks and start at 9PM EST.

I'm hosting a debate party at my apartment (we have a projection screen :)) and the LA times is coming because they want to get the perspective of young people gathering to watch this as a social event. I'm pretty stoked!

As someone who loves politics, it's in my general nature to watch these. However, I'd like to know if other people think that these are useful. Will you watch them? Do they sway your opinion of the candidates? What'd you think of their performances?

This isn't meant to be another ideological debate (we've had enough of those). I'm curious to see what role debates play in a campaign.

Re: Presidential Debates
 

I guess I'll catch the politcal debate. I have become more of a political junkie since taking AP Government and Politics. I'm just disappointed I won't be 18 in time to vote for the president. But I am a registered democrat. Kerry better do well up there.

Go Kerry. :)

Re: Presidential Debates
 

I know whats going to happen at the Presidental debates: Kerry will question's Bush's foreign policy, Bush will question Kerry's so called shifting views on the war.

I'm more interested in the VP Debates, mainly because they are CWRU!!!

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I'll watch, but it wont sway my opinion at all.

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Same with me, Kerry could give me a million bucks, but I'd still like Bush more.

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I think the rules for this debate are pretty strict... each candidate can't ask the other one questions - and isn't that a big part of what a debate is? I think this will mostly just be like Bush and Kerry happening to be giving speeches in the same room.

I dunno about anyone else, but I found it funny during the 2000 debates funny from all of Gore's sighing and whatnot. :] And I guess that's why they imposed strict rules this time around.

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This is my only homework tonight watch the debates. This class is going to be easy. :) :)

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During the debates between Clinton & Bush Sr., the camera switched from Clinton talking to Bush looking at his watch and not listening at all... FOX is doing the broadcast this time (I think) so I am definitely going to look out for more moments like these.

Plus, we might even get to hear about what these candidates' opinions are on civil liberties. Well, at least Kerry's!!

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It's already happening...Kerry voted for the red lights on the stage, before he voted against them!! :yikes:

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We'll actually be watching the debates in history tomorrow. I find them interesting. While I've been watching political progress for the past few months, it is always good to compare the two candidates when they're in the same proximity. I think any tool that can be used to inform people more about the choices they can make in an election is a good tool.

Watch the debates kids. Maybe you'll learn something. And I think those rules are useful. Look at how much we argue here on Chief, and most of us are reasonably intellegent people. Two guys duking it out for the highest US Office is a pretty intense situation, so I'd say it isn't unreasonable to have a mod. Also, a good president should have the maturity to understand that regulations like these aren't meant to target them, but to benefit everyone participating and watching.

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I'll definitely be watching. But I'm much more interested in seeing the Vice Presidential debate, and I really hope that they won't let it be a sit-down one like last time.

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And Bush still thinks they're blue. ;)

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I've got to say this is a definite win for Kerry. Kerry showed a focus and a plan. Bush said the same thing over again (with many pauses and stumbling) and it is the same thing he says everytime he's on the news. healso showed no focus at all, and shifted around in what he said, and you need to show a focus and the ability to answer a question if you will be President. Kerry showed this, Bush did not.

Oh, and what are "mexed missages"?

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Well, the debate just ended, and, to me, in any event, it won't be very decisive in my opinion of either candidate. If you follow current politics, there weren't many new viewpoints revealed. In summation...

Bush: You're a flip-flopper!
Kerry: But I wen't to Vietnam!
Bush: You still flip flopped!
Kerry: Well, I needed to make the best choices for my country. And I went to Vietnam, too!

Well, sort of. In the big picture, I think Kerry did a fairly sufficient job in convincing the American public that while he did change his mind on several issues, it was all in the best interest of the American public, and the ordeal isn't as much of a problem as the Bush campaign makes it out to be. Then again, Bush did come off as more likeable and down-to-earth, overall (big surprise...), and had the upper hand in being able to deliver the final closing speech. If I had to choose, however, this debate goes to Kerry for being able to close the door on some of Bush's main complaints about the candidate.

I also agree that the Vice Presidential debates should be much more exciting and decisive battles.

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Ya i have to agree with that^. However, i dont think bush seemed down to earth or likeable, neither did really. Just alot of what Bush was saying was wrong, and completely different from what he was doing.

I also think the VP debates will be amazing. Edwards and Cheney are both great speakers. Edwards is one of the best in all of Congress, and Cheney is one of the most passionate speakers around. Cheney can be thrown off if he gets over-excited about a topic and he may start to yell and come off as mean and pushy. I think Edwards will end up on top in this debate.

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Uhhh.... did you even watch it? That wasn't the impression I got at all. Kerry did not place that much emphasis on having fought int Vietnam.

I think Kerry did a good job countering Bush's attempts to make him look completely indecisive.

I came away feeling Kerry did the better job, although it wouldnt take much to make me think that, given his opponent

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Kerry=Bad
Bush=Good
What more can I say?

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How bout something of substance?

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Yeah I heard one poll had 1% of people who watched this made up their minds.

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how about why?

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Personally, I thought the debate was intellectually stimulating on both sides. Having followed the candidates through the pre-election months, however, I found that it did not especially reveal anything new about Bush or Kerry or go into depth as to why they had such positions on certain issues. Nonetheless, both candidates brought up good points.

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VGMaster, while I respect your political preference, please focus on the debates themselves in this thread. If you have substantial evidence against Senator Kerry on that lines feel free to state it, however, we've been arguing over candidate preference for months and it won't do anyone much good to rehash.

I found the debates very enjoyable. Naturally, candidates have their platforms and will focus on them, so it's not surprising that they were rehashing some things. While I did not see it as a true "debate" compared to what I do at school and competition, it was interesting to watch and see their audience skills.

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Something about Kerry just leads me to believe he wouldn't make a good president. :confused:

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One thing I noticed was that when the President started talking about putting his daughters on a leash, Kerry had this HUGE smirk on his face and seemed quite excited.

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What is this, a fight for the title of President or comparing teenagers to mammals? Bush should stick to the subject, but I still don't feel Kerry would be a good president (it's one of those gut feelings that are affiliated with big topics).

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I was being sarcastic, and so was the President. Thats why everybody in the room was laughing. Lighten up.

Also, how do you manage to misspell my last name after you did an exact quote of my post?

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Too much stress I guess. Don't let it get to ya, i've been testing glitches all week and the only thing I'm running on is funny Sonic comics and a large jug of Gatorade. I watched some of the debate, so I just go on what I saw on television. And what's with the sarcasm?