Saturday, December 01, 2007
Political Comentary/Not
The subject of politics may be somewhat tabu here but Im not making a political commentary, I am making a personal observation about how the new debate format has made it a little easier for an average guy like me to evaluate our candidates. I have seen a considerable amount of critisism of the format by pro journalists and politicians, most of it is leveled at the quality and depth of the questioning. In my mind this line of questioning is far more interesting than the formal debate format seen in the past. The questions are simple and pointed, I like that, and I like it even better when the answers are simple and pointed, and that is where I begin to sort out who I like and who falls into that "buiseness as usual" politician catagory. I have paid more attention to the candidates this year than I ever have and I think its because they are a little easeir to sort out. Of course I agree with some and disagree with others so I have a good basis for who to support, but when their basis for my support is shattered by smartass answers or worse yet avoiding answers altogether, it makes the others just a little more attractive, and opens my mind a little more to the ideas of the others. Its actualy fun being one of those undecided voters who seem so important to them, if I only lived in Iowa or NewHampshire.
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2 comments:
I have to admit that I've only read about the debates. However, after 25 years of missing primaries because of refusing to state a preference, I did register for one of them in case California was actually relevant this year with the new timetable.
As the person who isn't watching but only reading people who are watching, I can tell you that the criticism online is less about the format as it is about the content and the "gotcha" style of questions the organizers control and present. Tim Russert is particularly despised for his reputation as a "tough" questioner when his style is to confront someone with an inconsistency in position from 20 years ago, rather than get to something meaningful about what will affect people today and in the future. It's so much more fun to watch! Here and here are some of Paul Krugman's complaints about it as an example, and a one from a different blogger on Russert.
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