Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Debates- do they matter?







Debates- do they matter?

I live in a swing state (obviously). I like politics (obviously). I can't go 30 minutes without somehow being bombarded by a political ad (TV, radio, internet, road signs, and/or phone calls). So I admit it is hard for me to fathom that there are undecided voters out there. How can anyone not know at this point?!

The "presidential debates" will start tomorrow night. President Barack Obama versus Former Governor Mitt Romney.

Is there possibly even one thing that could happen in these debates that could sway a voter? Is it wrong of me to assume that the undecideds are also the uninformed? And are they the type likely to watch a debate?

I can't say I don't want to see the two candidates pitted against each other. But only because I want to see my candidate win. It isn't because I want to be taught. Don't get me wrong, there is that tiny modicum of a possibility that maybe President Obama could do something so outrageously unexpected (for instance, admit he sucks at the economy and is a crappy leader) that could make me like him (not the same as sway my vote). Really, I only watch these things in hopes of another Newt Gingrich, "No I would not!" moment.

Which brings me back to my question.

Debates- do they matter?

 
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1 comment:

  1. Well, I'm sure we've both read the analyses indicating that, in terms of lasting effects on polling, they don't. I think that's a bit overstated, in the following way: the debates aren't likely to be a game changer. but I think they can boost and solidify existing trends when they produce moments that (rightly or wrongly) reinforce a narrative already out there: Bush Sr. being disengaged from the concerns of regular folk in '92, or Dukakis being disengaged from human emotion in '88, for example. Incidentally, I'm living in Massachusetts now, which theoretically should immunize me from too much Presidential advertising. But I'm also getting it all the time because Boston media markets have heavy presence in New Hampshire!

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