Comments

1
The only time a candidate is required to be quick on their feet and make split second decisions is in a televised debate. I think some of the best politicians are the ones who take the time to analyze a problem and think long and hard before speaking or taking action.

I'm all for debates, but I'd prefer a written debate instead of a debate where your looks(*cough* The Stranger's boner for Fitzgibbon *cough*) or public speaking skills are given just as much weight as your actual stance on isses. Some of best politicians and presidents couldn't have been elected if televised debates existd back then.
2
Add to that clause,

"When asked a direct question, you must actually answer the question".

So far, most of the local/national debates are nothing more than stump speeches. They rarely answer the question.

Or better still. Must include multiple political parties, which there isnt much time for canidates to ramble or monologe, you got 2 minutes? Then you best answer the freaking question, otherwise the guy from "The Parking Fees Are Too Damm High" party wont have a problem answering a direct question and you look like a moron for rambling.
3
EricD @1:
I'm all for debates, but I'd prefer a written debate instead of a debate where your looks(*cough* The Stranger's boner for Fitzgibbon *cough*) or public speaking skills are given just as much weight as your actual stance on isses.

You tell 'em, Eric. Until we're able to figure out a convincing way to work earpieces or ventriloquism into live debates, I'm all for written, take-home debates. Our society has changed so much over the years, and yet we're still doing debates the way Lincoln and Douglas did them in 1860. I mean, why the hell should candidates hire top-dollar political consultants and then not be able to use them?
4
It seems to be a frightening trend among Republicans, although, after Christine O'Donnell's appearance this week, I'm not sure I blame their strategy people for finding any excuse they can from having the candidates speak extemporaneously.

Down in Texas, our sitting governor (Rick Perry, who makes his predecessor, one George W Bush, look competent) is refusing to debate even though he's up for re-election this year. Thankfully, they're still holding debates with the other candidates.
5
I'm fairly sure that Jeff Bezos is a witch.
6
The hell you say.

If the voters want to elect a candidate who doesn't debate, let them. Instead of complaining about how elections work, you might instead ask yourself what you're doing wrong and Reichert has been doing right election after election.

Leftists like The Stranger simply aren't willing to do what it takes to get 8th District voters to listen. You could, buy you won't.
7
Harry Reid flailed, and mostly failed, in his debate with Sharron Angle:

http://www.tnr.com/article/midterm-elect…
8
they'll keep ducking until it stops working.
9
Well, why ARE the Repubs in this state so scared to stand up and say what they represent? I thought Repubs nationwide were anticipating the fall elections to mostly go their way -- at least that's what the MSM says (gawd, I hate that term).

But up here in the mossy NW, we've got chicken-hearted Repubs, apparently.... Veddy interesting.... Vedddy interesting, indeed....
10
I have a better solution. Instead of having a debate, if one or more of the candidates for office refuse to do debates, the candidates left should get 2 half hour specials where they get to talk about how awesome they are. With an open invitation to the other candidate I'm willing to bet not a single candidate would turn such on offer down. Well, at this point it's not really an offer of a debate, it's more blackmail. Debate me or see what happens to my poll numbers after I get done telling the electorate how awesome I am and you have no way to respond except for the blanket TV ads everyone hates. Who's going to refuse? And if they do, it's their political funeral.
11
Well, this wouldn't happen if media outlets besides The Stranger kept headlining -- over and over -- the fact that these candidates refuse to debate, and why are they refusing to debate, and what questions are they afraid of answering, etc.

Please wait...

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