Change for Future Presidential Debates?

After the second presidential debate was called the worst debate ever, Politico's Ben Smith wondered if the third debate was the last for the Commission on Presidential Debates. He writes the commission has been "criticized for caving to cautious candidate demands and for -- amid an astonishing media revolution -- using virtually no technology that wasn't available when the television networks created the commission 22 years ago to wrest control of presidential debates from the League of Women Voters." He also reports Grover Norquist is joining a "bi-partisan group of online activists" (the Open Debate Coalition) to dismantle or reform the Commission. The ODC supporters include Lawrence Lessig, Craig Newmark, Jimmy Wales, Arianna Huffington and many others.

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By Jen Chung in News on October 16, 2008 12:49 PM

Comments [rss]

HUGO_MEGO

Obama, the secret muslim, is being courted by the neo-lib media.

Amanda Harletsch

dude 69. if Joe the plumber is the "new" McCain best hope, and not even him is sure to Vote for McCain then McCain has WEAK strategy, very simple....

People for McCain can not even see that having an empty strategy is the same that not having one.

And victimizing the beligerant republican base is actually making clear how misplaced their bullying is.

kate g

www.nuclearpowerpants.com

kate g

www.nuclearpowerpants.com

nice job

Why don't debates only cover one or two topics that can be argued at length? i think a change in format is in order. we're tackling like, 7 different topics per debate and you hear nothing new.

Guest

What I want to know from Republicans is if they truly believe in limited government and individual freedom and responsibility, then why is it that there party is the one responsible for things like the Patriot Act (which robs just about every American of their basic freedoms granted in the Bill of Rights), the Drug War (which is the longest running 'war' ever in US history and has produced little to no results; additionally it does not lend itself to individual right or responsibility, instead giving the FEDERAL government the power to take away individuals' rights to ingest whatever the hell they want to ingest), and the current War on Terrorism (which has given the FEDERAL government more power and has expanded it to a point this country has never seen before)?

Tell me Republicans. Why do you say one thing, but do another?

Amanda Harletsch

That is the best portrait of the charachter of these two!! specially McCain and his style of "maveric"

Dude69

Joe the Plumber is the key Palin/McCain is looking for. I enjoyed the way he backed Obama into the corner, and Obama's trying to get out with his usual song and dance! Joe will bring the working class votes for McCain and win him Ohio, Florida and PA, and that should clinch the election for the Republicans! Let the media frenzy on Joe start now!

http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/16/news/economy/easton_plumberjoe.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008101614

section313

how about Thunderdome?

Rocknrope

Improving the debate format? One word: Octagon.

Reflect

This Sounds like a fresh of breath air.

Guest

I agree #10. The final Presidential debate should be at Wrestlemania.

babyhitler

In a stunning GOP move, John McCain will change his name to Joe McCain at the last minute so everyone will think he's the literal Joe six-pack and Joe the Plumber and he'll win a landslide.