I agree with the suggestion that alot of times this seems like sport more than politics- I'll come back after the debate to elaborate but I think this is a great discussion to have. Is it better or worse for voter turnout and engagement?
Andrew Flockhart
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Re: Foreign Policy Debate: join in!
I wish I could join in on the live stream. While you guys are watching, though, I've got a question for you. How many people do you think watch the debates for entertainment vs as part of deciding who to vote for?
I think the answer says something, not necessarily negative, about our society. Election season is like the playoffs, and we all join in to have fun. Is it great that we're all civically literate enough to play along at home, and that we have the free time to do so?
Or is it embarrassing that we've made a game out of politics? One could argue that politicians made a game out of politics, but if this latter part is the case, should we be playing along?
Personally speaking I tend to have my personal opinion defined through hours of reading, watching events all year, and because of great podcasts like the Slate Political Gabfest. I guess I watch the debates for the sickening pleasure of watching someone bolt from their "firmly held" beliefs in favor of pandering to an ever polarized group of people.
Isn't it a little concerning that some viewers take the politicians word? I am not speaking directly about tonights debate, but more regarding political punditry in general.
@Zack to your last point, I think we have no choice but to play along. There's obviously a large element of entertainment to all this, but it is also a very real and important choice we make as a nation.
Even though winning a campaign is not done with the skills necessary to run a country, I think in many ways they can be good proxy for it.
There's also a certain nailbiting edge of your seat type of thing, isn't there? Sometimes it's less like watching a sports match and more like a scary movie!
60 million people viewed the debates last night. Of those, I wonder how many were undecided and were watching in order to determine their vote, and how many were watching in order to confirm the voting decision they had already made? In some ways, I hope no one decides on the basis of a debate: there is just too much at stake in making a decision and the debate is only 90 minutes.
Andrew Flockhart added Julius Tarng.
