This Wednesday is the first of three presidential debates
before the November election. If you
read the news, both candidates are claiming the debate is critical for their
election and at the same time trying to downplay expectations.
Downplaying expectations seems to be a critical piece to
debate success. Trying to get the
general population to not expect much from you in order to, ”wow” them at the
debate has proven to be an effective strategy.
It seems very backwards to me, but that is probably one of many reasons
why I am not running for president.
The debate will be televised on all major networks and seen
by millions of voters and future voters.
While many people know who they are going to vote for, many do not. The debate is a tool that puts the candidates
side by side in order for people to compare.
The first televised debate took place in 1960, but it was
not until 1976 that the debates have become a regular and critical part of the
election. The effects of the 1960 debate
and the obscure campaign laws deterred candidates and networks from sponsoring
presidential debates.
In 1960 a young and
energetic candidate from Massachusetts stole the show and won the election in
the first ever televise debate. John F.
Kennedy looked poised and comfortable when he challenged the favored Richard
Nixon to a debate. It was not only the
appearance of Kennedy, but Nixon displaying nerves and sweating which made many
people question his leadership ability.
You can understand why all future frontrunners refused to debate until
it was no longer an option in 1976.
The campaign law which required equal television time to be
given to all candidates found a loophole which made debates a possibility in
1976. The candidates were up for the
challenge, but also had little room to refuse.
While the debate in 1976 did not swing the voters in the same way as
1960, it did provide Jimmy Carter the opportunity to display his presidential
qualities versus incumbent Gerald Ford.
Sitting presidents and incumbents have used the debates to
address the public’s perception and neutralize criticisms. Future President Ronald Reagan used the
debate in 1980 to ask the American people if they were better off today than
they were four years prior. This
question helped to convince many voters to move away from President Carter. He used the debates in 1984 to show his
humorous side and make a joke out of his age, which was polling as a concern
among voters.
While the debates have proven effective, they have also gone
to the point of absurdity. Polls
following the debate measure likability, personality, persuasiveness and other
characteristics. They have fact checkers
and analysis which measure everything including the number of nouns and verbs
used by a candidate. For an example of
what they measure you can check out the site concerning the 2008 debate.
Lexical Analysis : http://mkweb.bcgsc.ca/debates/
Why do you think the televised debates have become so
important in American presidential politics?
Do you think the way a candidate looks should be a reason to vote for or
against somebody? What do you think is
the best way for voters who are undecided to choose a candidate? The debates? Newspapers or news television?
Or some other way?
Nikita- I think the televised debates have become important because it gives the running candidates a better chance at being recognize. More people are likely to watch the debates on TV than go to the conventions or wherever the candidates are speaking. I don't think you should vote for or against someone based on their looks, you should do it based on their history, how they speak, what they speak, how they speak it, etc. I think the voters should look back on past presidents and how they did and compare and contrast the running candidates and what they say is going to change the country. Voters shouldn't vote on how they look or how much they criticize the other candidates.
ReplyDeleteyeah, the picture's back up!
Deletesorry, recognized
DeleteLily- YEAH! Go BSU!!!!!
Delete*Recognized
DeleteGO Vandals
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGrace-I think the debates have become so important because of looks and speaking ability. If you don't look put together, then some people will think you don't care and as a result, will not vote for you. If you cannot speak well (stuttering, lack of eye contact, etc.), then that will also affect the votes, since being president requires a tremendous amount of public speaking. As I have already said, looks do matter. If one of the candidates shows up wearing torn jeans and a sweatshirt, then it will come across as sloppy and lazy. If one of the candidates shows up in a suit, then people will think he looks put together and ready for the job. I think, obviously not from experience, that if you're not sure, watch all of the debates, to see how well they can speak and how nice they look. It is also important to listen to what they have to say about the country and what they can do to make it better. If you like what one of the candidates will try to do, then you should vote for that candidate. An undecided voter should try to watch and listen to every debate and just know what is going on.
ReplyDeleteLily- I think that the television debates have become so important because it gives the ruuning canadites a better chance of becoming president. I don't think people should vote for the way people look, but how they spoke there speach, and what they talked about. I think the best way to vote for a running canadite is to watch the debates and follow up on what's going on.
ReplyDeleteNatalie- Television is an important part of politics because people will judge by what you look like. If you look young and fresh versus older and experienced, it will change the opinions of voters. I don't think it's right to judge on looks, but we as humans can't help it. When we see someone, we immedately judge them on what they look like because it's human nature. It shouldn't give one candidate leverage over another, though. A good way to choose a running candidate to vote for if you're undecided, is to, in my opinion, watch the debates and listen to their speeches until you've heard what they plan to do if they become president. Then it'll be easier to decide who to vote for.
ReplyDeleteNatalie- What is this profile picture?
Deleteme gusta
DeleteOf course it is...
DeleteLiza- who is me gusta or an i just stupid and that's some person should know
DeleteSean- I ti important in the way in the sense of not feeling as if the speech has been edited, manipulated, improvised, or all together rigged. it also displays a sense of self satisfaction of how they feel about the debate s far, from a slight smirk, to nixon's sweating and stuttering
ReplyDeleteLauryn- Some people don’t get to hear the candidates opinions because they live to far away from the cities; where the candidates campaign. With the source of televisions everyone who has a TV can watch. Therefore this gives the candidates an option to express their thoughts. No, people should not vote on looks. They should vote based on the candidates beliefs and values. I think the best way for someone to make there decision is to research. Not just the debates or the newspapers or the TV, but all of them because they all give different information.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel- Televised debating has become important because of how a person dresses up, and how they speak to people has a huge impact on someone's vote. I personally don't think it matters TOO much on how a person looks. A person might be very poor, but might be the smartest person on the planet. That person actually might have great solutions to problems, and can help only if he's elected. Another reason, is that if someone is dressed in a suit for example, they might be very good at speaking, but may have no idea how to help. He might also just be trying to please the people, and say only what they want to hear. An undecided voter must watch both sides opinions, debates, and speeches, and then choose. If they still can't choose a person, they might have to go deeper and find more information about them.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel- I'm about to watch the debate right now! :D
DeleteI think televised debates have become so important in America so as a voter you can see how well a speaker is, if they stutter or can't think fast enough or something like that. I don't think looks have that much influence because if you're running for president and in a debate you're probably not going to show up wearing pajamas, you'll be in a suit and tie, which is what everybody wears. I think debates are the best way for someone to decide their vote because you can get the positives and negatives about the president, and, once again, how well they can speak because that's a huge part about being president.
ReplyDeletethat ballerina just had 2 go
Deletewho is this
Deleteuh oh that was justin might be too late tho...
DeleteAndoni- Television has had a major impact in the minds of voters. People may not wan't to judge a person on their appearance, but when the time comes to make the decision it is still in the back of their minds. I don't agree with this but that's just the way it is. The presidential debates reveal how a president can speak. It isn't just about being smooth but also how you act. If a candidate were to stutter and mumble people may think that the candidate couldn't react well to unforeseen problems if he is elected. The candidates don't have a written speech to go from so they are on their own. This will show the voters how they will react if they are put into tough situation as president.For this reason i think it is the best way to make the BIG decision.
ReplyDeleteLiza- I think the televised debates are very important because the people need to see the points that both the people have to make. If you don't see the points that the people have to make you don't make informed votes. That is NOT GOOD AT ALL. Yes and no. The way a person looks can tell you about that person. If the person is sophisticated looking that person might be a little more trustworthy, other than the person that looks to childish. You also don't know if the childish is very trustworthy. I think the best way is the debates or newspapers. The debates keep people well informed. The papers also keep people informed from the opinion of the author.
ReplyDeleteLuke-Presidential Debates have become important because it brings in a new factor for being a good president. That factor is being able to keep your cool(unlike sweaty Nickson in the first debate) and being able to speak clearly and loudly in front of crowds. In some cases you should judge a president by their attire. That will show that they care. But do not judge a president by their looks because that does not show anything about how they perform. I think everything is good for deciding what president to vote for. The debates, newspapers, and television. They all give information about what they want to do with this country and their promises.
ReplyDeleteThomas-I think that televised debates have become so popular because you can see the different people running. No, because some people are better public speakers than others and you should focus what they believe in. I think the best way to choose is to watch debates because they summarize what they will do.
ReplyDeletesydney--I think that Persidential debates have become so important in American presidental politics because I think that the voters need a chance to maybe hear each side of what the canidates need to say. It might even change the voter's mind.I do not think that anyone should vote on a canditate because of their appearence. I think the best way to choose who to vote for is probably to watch their speeches and the debate.It would give you a good feel on who to vote for.
ReplyDeleteMegan- I think the debates are so important because gives the caidates a way to prove that they are fit to be president and why the person also running is not. It is also a way from them to get undecided voters to vote for him. I think is very important to get those last minute voters! I think the candidate should look good because this insures the people that he or she should be their president. They know that they need someone that is confident- looking to lead them. I think the best way for decided voters to choose is to listen to the debate and the media to see which one you think has the closest perspective to you on how to lead the country.
ReplyDeletePatrick- I think debates are vital to the presidential election because if you haven't gotten a chance to go to a speech or read about the candidates the debate is a good way to decide who you will vote for. It is also a way to put all they have on the table so the country knows them inside and out. That can be good and bad depending on who you are. I believe the way the candidate looks is important because we don't want a total gross looking slob running our country. We want a nice clean formal looking person instead of a slob. I think the best way to decide who you will vote for is through the debates because you can never real trust the media.
ReplyDeleteThe clown pic stinks
DeleteHayley: I think the televised debates are important because it is a way to see what the candidates are like. I think voting on how they look is not right. You should vote on what their thoughts are or why they should be the one. I think if you are in between candidates you should help figure out who to vote for by the debates.
ReplyDeleteJohn-i think televised debating is important to our country because then the people in the USA would get a good feel of who they want for president by it's ideas,ways to make are cuntry better and how they would do it. I don't think it's good to vote for someone on how he or she looks because then you don't know what president would do that would make your life easier. People should vote based on the the presidents ideas because that way you would know who is the right choice. I think the best way for the voters is to watch the debates on tv because that way you can listen to them and know what their trying to say.
ReplyDeleteJohn-sorry i meant it is bad to vote for someone on how she or he looks.
ReplyDeleteBailie- I think televised debates have become so important to our country because it puts a face on the candidates for the people of the United States who have no idea what they look like. I think the way a candidte looks should be a reason to vote for someone because you can see if the person is nervous to address people in public or if they are fine doing it. I think the best way for voters who are undecided to choose someone is through the new television because you can see if your candidate is a good public speaker and if you want them to be the face of America. I think the same for the debates
ReplyDeleteReed- Telvised debates are important and are growing because you can see what the candidates look like and what the crowd reactions to there speeches. it does not matter what he or she looks like it is what they are going to do for our country.
ReplyDeleteLiam~There are several reasons why televised debates are important. One reason, and the most important, is that everyone that owns a television, which is like 99% of America, is able to watch the important political arguments. Dress is the way that you show and express yourself to others, thus I believe that a person should definitely be judged by the way they look, not always, but for the circumstance of a Presidential Debate, yes. If you are not in the groove of things politically, and you don't know who to vote for, I would listen to two of my friends, one democratic, and one republican and see what I think is right, and what their response was to the debate. So in conclusion I believe that political debates should be televised at the very least, that way you are able to see the arguments as they happen, rather than the newspaper when you see things the next day. (And Mr. Grant sorry for not logging out on one of the laptops, I'll be sure to get in the habit of logging out before I put it away.)
ReplyDeleteWes- The reason a televised debate is so important is because the debate will show all the things a president does including a facial expressiion which can help alot in showing if that person wants to be there or not.The many people watching that will then be able to have a better understanding of the people we are voting for. I personally think that the look is one of the most important things someone can notice because you can tell as I said before if someone wants to be there or not or for an even more important matter, if the person is meaningful in his words. I think for someone who is undecided as a choice of who he wants to be president should watch a tevelivised debate because you can't tell a facial expression in a newspaper.
ReplyDeleteRylie~ I think televised debates are better because, it may be easier for people. It may be hard or near impossible to get where they are debating. Note, you should still try to get involved. Maybe they can't make it there, so they can just watch it at home, where it may be easier. No, I think that it is never okay to judge people on their looks. More, see what they are saying, and see what kind of background they may come from. I think the best way to decide on your candidate, is to see what past presidents may have said and or have done. They may be alike or different. If it maybe alike and you like their ideas, vote for them. And surely reading about the history about the candidate would be of such help as well.
ReplyDeleteKeelie says: televised debates are very beneficial. if someone can't go the the debate in person, the t.v. is in almost every american home, so they help play a role in debates. yes, i think looks somewhat matter because i wouldn't vote for someone who looks like a hobo. but i also wouldn't vote for someone because they're white. i would vote for someone with great ideas and an understanding of what needs to get done. undecided voters should choose who to vote for, because every vote counts. i'm being completely serious when i say that having planes dump little papers wit stuff on them from the sky, like we used to do. some people can't watch t.v. or read newspapers, but if there is free information dumped on public spots everyone could go and read it. then the public workers could recycle the papers and start again.
ReplyDeleteSome people may sound good on a radio or a newspaper but are too nervous to every talk on TV, which is a big thing. If you are not able to speak in public you sure can’t be the president. You may look pretty weird but be one of the best speakers ever, just like Abraham Lincoln, he was tall and very thin with a tall hat too. But he was a great speaker and was one of the best presidents that we will remember to this day. You should learn more about the person and then, you should vote.
ReplyDeleteThis is Todd...
DeleteAdriana-I think that it has become so important in America because it give the candidates who are running a better chance to be voted for and be recognized. I don't think that it is fair to not vote for Obama just because he is black. He has worked his butt of just trying to have a chance at being president. I think that if you are undecided about a candidate i think that you could look at what Obama has done in the past and look at that and maybe find the negatives or positives of what he did in those few yrs as president. Then you could look at Mitt Romney did as the governed of Massachusetts and find the pros and cons then you could look at all of the pros on each side and think about if u vote forthis person then..........and do the same for Romney, and then you could decide. But then if your like me just flip a coin heads Obama and tails Romney :p
ReplyDeleteNathaniel- Haha LOL That's actually pretty funny. :D
DeleteRaquel- The reason why televised debates have become so important is because people aren't able to attend to the places where they are taking place in. Also because people just don't have the time to go out and attend instead all they have to do is flip on the t.v and watch it from your living room. No you shouldn't base someone on just their looks. Who knows if by the way they look they can do a better job. It's not by the looks it's by the action where you can tell who does a better job. A quote I live by is never judge a book by it's cover. The best way is to think it through before and decide what are you looking for in that someone who you think could qualify as the president. I think through the debates because your hearing it from them and not from different reporters that could change the whole meaning of what that person first said.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think is the best way for voters who are undecided to choose a candidate? The debates? Newspapers or news television? Or some other way?
ReplyDeleteTomas-I think that it is important to american politics because it tells americans how responsible and intellegent the candidates are. it also tells people what the candidate is going to do to change the country in a simpler version.The way someone looks doesn't tell a ton about thier personality. and besides, if you vote for a white person just because the other candidate is black is plain racism. I think that the best way for the undecided to vote is by the debates because that is when the presidents tell a big part of their plan.
Nekane-I think it is a better way because it helps thoes wh cant go see the debate.No i dont think we should chool by someones apperence at all. Probably both but telivision more because you can really see how they are like there body lauguage or how they respond to questions.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteRyan-I think televised debates are important in America because you can hear and see how the people react and what they have to say. People probably will vote for the younger looking person, but the older wiser one might do a better job because they have had more experience so I don't think people should vote based on looks. I think the best way for a person to vote is listening to what the person running has to say.
I think TV debates are important because it shows what the candidates are like when facing each other, and facing problems on live, non-edited TV. I think the way a person looks doesn't explain their intentions, so judging by the way they look shouldn't be a factor in voting. I think the best way for an undecided to choose their vote is by watching debates.
ReplyDeleteThat's Nate by the way.
DeletePetie-I think that the reason American Politics have become so important to America because it really sets us apart from the other countries and give us reasons to be happy. When these debates become televised people can relax and watch their favorite politician, or disagree with the politicians. The people that are isolated can watch the politicians. I don't think that you should vote for someone by the way they look because according to sources Socrates was ugly, but super brilliant. I personally think that either going to one of the debates live or watching it on TV is the best because then people can't twist what the politicians are saying.
ReplyDeleteClaire-I think that televised debates have become important in america because people dont have to travel to the conventions to hear debates and ware as they could flip on the t.v. and watch it right in their own homes. I also think people should'nt vote for a president just because of their looks, they should vote for a president depending on weather they think that person would make a good leader or not.I think the best way for someone to choose a canidate would be television so they can hear what the canidate has to say and then deside.
ReplyDelete