I think debates are healthy. I think they include more people. And I don't believe most people, if they don't win, are just going to take their ball and go home.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
There's no question that many factors contribute to voters' perceptions about debates and who wins and who loses.
But I do think its necessary to have debates.
Presidential primary debates are an important part of our political process. But the media has wrested complete control from the parties and candidates over everything, including the number, the format, the qualifications, and the moderators. And they've become a circus.
Healthy debate has been replaced by automatic sensors that eliminate the need for actual talking during a filibuster - a la 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.' Robust debate is necessary in a democratic society. Instead, our discourse has been relegated to media spin by expert entertainers.
If we're going to have debates, let's have real debates.
Debates require a lot of hard work and preparation. If you try to wing it, it shows.
When you campaign and have to participate in so many debates just to the win the nomination of your party, you've had a lot of practice. You get to figure out as you go from one debate to another where you made your mistakes. By the time you get to the big debate you're pretty polished.
The world of TV debates is antiquated. What looked smart and modern in 1960, with Kennedy versus Nixon, looks quaint and over-rehearsed between Obama and Romney. We need a new format; even if we have the same moderators and candidates, there needs to be a more nuanced way for audiences to connect with and shape presidential debates.
Debates, I hate.
Debate is healthy and no one in this chamber - starting with me - has a monopoly on being right.
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