I love debates.
They bring out all the different sides of the candidates, and show each one in a different light each and every night they take to the podiums. It is fascinating to watch the candidates line up and drive their own points into the ground as fast as they can, while unearthing their opponents’ arguments and throwing them in the fire at the same rate.
It is a competition in it’s purest nature: repeated facing off with the same candidates, covering different discussion topics.
Think about how this would play out on the athletic front. Create all-around athlete super teams, and pit them against each other every year in an all-inclusive competition of all sports to prove to the world who the best team of super-athletes is. It would be awesome.
The system lets the cream rise to the top.
The competition being displayed by the GOP presidents this year is incredibly reminiscent of the Democratic primary debates of last cycle. This has to be encouraging to all GOP supporters, look how it worked out for the Democrats last time around. When it finally comes time to vote, the turnout will be great, and the passion for the primary election and presidential election will reach fever pitch.
Seeing the passion exuded by the Democrats during the last cycle and the Republicans currently is especially exciting for me.
Competition makes us stronger, and is the point of a democracy. The competition is on and the marketplace of ideas is open for business.
The GOP candidates are smelling blood: all of them. Each one sees the opportunity before them, and it’s all or nothing at all at this point.
Long-standing front runner Mitt Romney is beginning to be looked at in a less-flattering light, but still remains a strong contender. Watching the debates, Romney still exudes confidence with every word.
His success has largely been due to the fact that he refuses to slip up. He seems to be the most consistent candidate out there, but he doesn’t have the star power to take down President Barack Obama.
Texas Governor Rick Perry has enjoyed his fair amount of success as well. The devout Christian icon of Texas carries himself well, and tends to butt heads with Romney on most occasions. Despite his slip up in the last debate, his chances remain as strong as any.
Herman Cain has the political world on fire. The business mogul has had success everywhere he’s been in life (except for with the ladies, which is coming back to haunt him). The major question surrounding Cain is whether or not the allegations against him are going to sink his campaign to irreconcilable lows. If he can stifle the negative momentum he could still make a very strong push towards getting the nod for the GOP.
The newest (and oldest?) Republican to take center stage is Newt Gingrich. See my last post for information on him. I can't get a read on Gingrich yet, but he claims to be a changed man, and he definitely has the star power.
Michelle Bachman, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum all maintain confidence as well that they are in a good position to secure the primary election.
I don’t know who will end up on top, but what I do know is that this presidential election cycle will be every bit as entertaining as the last one was. Let’s just wait and see who pulls a Hillary first and cries on national TV.
More updates to come!
I think that these debates are a good way to compare candidates, but do you think that the eye of public perception is not entirely effected by these debates? I found that in the first GOP debate that Romney and Bachman were the ones "chosen" to be in the limelight, while Cain and Gingrich had strong presence in my opinion. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Richard(great fish dude!). The debates are turning into a sort of reality show. It's turned into this perverted exercise in juggling a particular candidate at the top for a few weeks, then another. As far as there being specific times and questions for specific candidates, I consider that outrageous. The basic format of the debates so far have been ridiculous. Ron Paul, Santorum, Bachmann, Cain don't get near enough attention or diverse questions. Santorum will always be asked about a social conservative issue, Bachmann a religious question, etc. That is horrid. The candidates should be given equal time, equal questions. I know gingrich often complains of the media, and a part of that is just his shtick, but it is happening to an extent. It's wrong. But it's happening.
ReplyDeleteClowncar rolls on.
I agree that they should all get equal time, and definitely the media is influencing the perception of the candidates. I do think though that if more people took the time to watch the debates as opposed to listening to the media's summaries of it.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point there-- the fact that many viewers won't watch a whole debate may be influencing the media to simply shoot for things they can use for soundbites. Does it reinforce the two-dimenstional perception of the candidates? Yes. Is there anything we can do about it? Probably-- I'm just not sure what.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you all think that the debate was a complete show? I remember tweeting while watching it and reading similar thoughts like "Let the games begin!" etc.
ReplyDeleteIt's become less about the actual issues and more about the show. I agree that it reinforces that perception of the candidates.