Open up the debates

[tinyp3nis]

This is about the US presidential debates, and the CPD. The Comission on Presidential Debates is the private corporation (don't let the name fool you) that hosts the debates between the two major parties. It is there to exclude competition, but also to serve the Americans right up the ass. The debates were not always run by a private corporation, the nonpartisan organization which had done them previously had this to say before their withdrawal in 1988:

The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates...because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public.

I wish I had known this before I watched two of the debates in 2004 so I would have better known what I was really seeing. What about you, what is your reaction, is it "I knew that!" or "I don't believe you" or maybe "move along nothing to see here"? Should be no secret, it has been on the news and everything, and perhaps you older (than me) people remember the "love fest" of 2000 debates. Still something tells me this is news for many of the regulars on poly and hopefully you will get to know this before you watch the ones in 2008. There is also a google debate coming next month, but Obama is saying he won't go

This is the Nader campaings take on the issue, the second video is very informative if this is new to you.





Who do you want to see in the debates?

[Deity Dude]

Any candidate that is on the ballot in enough states to win the necessary amount of electoral votes to be elected should be in the debates.

[tinyp3nis]

50 views, I am the only one who voted
Does it mean diebold aka Premier Election Solutions is winning?

[chequita guevara]

Democracy lost long ago.

[tinyp3nis]

Originally posted by Comrade Snuggles
Democracy lost long ago.

I saw you did not vote for revolution wat

[aneeshm]

John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation's energy security, get the government's budget and spending practices in order, and bring relief to American consumers. Click to learn how the McCain Economic Plan will help bring reform, prosperity and peace to America. Read More.

And that's all I have to say about that......

[tinyp3nis]

Originally posted by aneeshm
Puppet has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good Indian jobs, ensure some nation's energy security, get the government's budget and spending practices in disorder, and bring grief to American consumers.

And that's all I have to say about that......

Fixed it for you

[Kidlicious]

I don't think debates are that important. I don't care what the guy in the second video says, debates have always been for entertainment purposes only. Each individual can study the issues for themselves. They don't need a couple of bull****ters up there putting on a show to make a decision.

[DinoDoc]

I take exception to the word debate as it is being used in this thread as the Presidential debates are anything but. However, even if we did have real debates Nader and co wouldn't have a right to be in thier due to thier low poll numbers. Unless a party polls above 10% in national polls, they don't really have any right to be included in a national debate.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
I take exception to the word debate as it is being used in this thread as the Presidential debates are anything but. However, even if we did have real debates Nader and co wouldn't have a right to be in thier due to thier low poll numbers. Unless a party polls above 10% in national polls, they don't really have any right to be included in a national debate.

Sure, that way parties that don't poll over 10% don't poll over 10%.

[Deity Dude]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Unless a party polls above 10% in national polls, they don't really have any right to be included in a national debate.

And why is that?

[tinyp3nis]

I am also wondering why exactly 10%. Is it because that is what Google says (unless they have changed it by now)? Why not 15% like CPD says? Or 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30? Is it because ten base feels somehow more natural?

[SlowwHand]

Re: Open up the debates

Originally posted by tinyp3nis
Should be no secret, it has been on the news and everything, and perhaps you older (than me) people remember the "love fest" of 2000 debates.

Who do you want to see in the debates?

First point. I was a young boy when Kennedy and Nixon had the first televised debate. I have a lot of experience in watching. Kennedy was calm, cool and collected. He spoke to the point. By contrast, Nixon looked extemely uncomfortable. Perspiring profusely. Even as a boy, ithe contrast was evident.

Second point. I don't care about Ron Paul, Clinton or anyone else at this point. For better or for worse, this country has pretty much always been a 2 party system.
That's who I want to hear.

[Theben]

It would be nice to have more voices involved in the govt than we have, but since the GOP & dems can only lose power by this arrangement, and they decide the rules... ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by tinyp3nis
I saw you did not vote for revolution wat

No, I didn't vote for talk is cheap. There is no revolution without talking.