Much Ado About Nothing
Last night was the much-publicized CNN/You Tube debate. Why is this debate different from all other debates? Because the people get to ask the questions, albeit in prerecorded video. Did it make a difference. Not really.
The problem with political debates has never been with the people asking the questions. The problem is with the lack of answers. Candidates have talking points that they continually fall back on. These talking points are meant to sound impressive while saying nothing.
Want to fix the debate? Let me suggest some changes.
1) Start by making each answer a two-part question, with the first part being yes or no. Go through every candidate, with each one getting to say yes or no and nothing more. Then go back and have them explain why they answered that way.
2) Give the candidates scores that are shown on their podiums, like a game show. They get 3 point for a direct answer, 1 point for a rambling answer that ultimately gets to the point and they lose 5 points for going off-topic or skirting the issue.
3) Alternatively, don't air the debate live. Force the candidates to keep talking until they answer the question, then edit out everything but the one sentence that answers the question for broadcast.
4) Finally, after the election, rerun all of the comments by the winner, alongside video of their campaign promises immediately before the inauguration. Rerun this package every three months while the person is in office and have them explain why they haven't lived up to what they said.
The problem with political debates has never been with the people asking the questions. The problem is with the lack of answers. Candidates have talking points that they continually fall back on. These talking points are meant to sound impressive while saying nothing.
Want to fix the debate? Let me suggest some changes.
1) Start by making each answer a two-part question, with the first part being yes or no. Go through every candidate, with each one getting to say yes or no and nothing more. Then go back and have them explain why they answered that way.
2) Give the candidates scores that are shown on their podiums, like a game show. They get 3 point for a direct answer, 1 point for a rambling answer that ultimately gets to the point and they lose 5 points for going off-topic or skirting the issue.
3) Alternatively, don't air the debate live. Force the candidates to keep talking until they answer the question, then edit out everything but the one sentence that answers the question for broadcast.
4) Finally, after the election, rerun all of the comments by the winner, alongside video of their campaign promises immediately before the inauguration. Rerun this package every three months while the person is in office and have them explain why they haven't lived up to what they said.
Labels: CNN, debate, Democrats, politics, president, You Tube
posted by Eric Lopkin at
1:24 PM
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