Do Presidential Debates Even Matter?

[Perham1]

I mean, we all know Rick Perry is not a silver-tongued orator. But do his dismal performances during the debates bear any weight on how he would perform as President?

The answer is clearly no.

 

[general35]

the debates dont matter because there is never really a substantive discussion on policy. i refuse to watch them anymore, they are stupid. questions for candidates to raise hands, etc., a extrmemly disproportionate over emphasis on republicans religious backgrounds and beliefs.

 

[ShinerTX]

The debate formats are really pretty weak but I want someone who can make a valid argument in a complete sentence without the help of a teleprompter.

Leadership and vision are the most critical attributes for a POTUS in my opinion. Can this be demonstrated in the debate format? Not really but I do think it is a valid piece of the puzzle.

That said, I'd like the debates to have a buzzer or gong or something when you hear someone completely avoid the question (at least when it is a relevant question).

 

[MaceHorn]

The "debates" are not debates at all. They are freaking sideshows, carnival acts. If those 8 or 22, or however many Rs cram themselves onto the stage, thought dressing up like Little Orphan Annie and singing "Tomorrow" would get them elected, every swinging one of them would do it. Next to America's Got Talent, this show has NO talent. And if they were Ds, it would be the same thing.

Newtie has proposed Lincoln-Douglas type debates, after which the only two people still alive would be the two speakers. The rest of us would have offed ourselves after three hours of that crap.

One word answer: No.

 

[Gone To Texas]

The Republican primary debates would matter if all the crazy people left the stage, taking their hollow aphorisms and sideshow antics with them, leaving more time for serious candidates with intelligent thoughts to actually debate... i.e., Newt, Huntsman, Ron Paul, and perhaps Romney and Gary Johnson.

 

[general35]

after viewing perry's most recent awkward speech in NH, Jimmy kimmel had a funny line that Perry is GWB if Bush had not stopped drinking.

 

[Dionysus]

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[Texas007]

not in this election. i don't care if the obama opponent doesn't even speak in the debates. I don't care if they don't even show up. I am voting for whomever runs against him.

 

[Perham1]

How is this ‘clearly’ the case?

Good question. There is nothing substantive about the debates that materially predicts or translates into effective Executive branch managerial ability.

A fat guy would come across poorly in the debates. Debates are about flair.

 

[Mr. Deez]

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[rickysrun]

I hope the next GOP debate brings up the threat of China looking to become a nuclear power. We can't allow China to get the bomb, and Herman Cain is the only one addressing this situation.