GOP Primary Debates Debatable
Four years ago last month I had already made my decision for whom to vote in the Republican Primary election for President. My support for Mike Huckabee came after an ever so brief bout of support for Mitt Romney. (Boy oh boy does it hurt to admit that given what I’ve since come to realize about Mitt!)
With Huckabee out, I’m left in the awkward position of figuring out whom to support in this most important election. So far, there isn’t anyone who excites me the same way that Huckabee did. Certainly, Huck had his negatives, but there was just something about him that I had to support. This current crop of GOP contenders thus far fails to excite me in any way whatsoever.
Am I being too critical? Perhaps, but my gut instinct has gotten me far, and I’m not about to abandon it.
As I attempt to narrow my field, the debates will be critical in my decision making process.
I must, of course, use the term “debate” as loosely as possible. What we have been presented with so far is more of a “question and answer” session than a debate. In my opinion, it is a disservice to democracy.
It is beyond evident that this crop of candidates is going to suffer through the same media format as four years ago. The moderators are going to make the debates as much about themselves as about the candidates. The candidates are randomly going to be asked questions designed to capture a “gotcha” moment. Questions will be random and every candidate will be asked different questions.
I would like to present an alternative format to each and every media outlet that will be covering a “debate”.
As of the last New Hampshire debate, there were seven candidates on stage. Question one should begin with candidate one, and then each candidate down the line should get the same question and the same time to answer. Time should be enforced by simply turning off the microphone when the candidates time has elapsed. Question two then starts with candidate two and goes down the line, ending with candidate one. After seven questions, each candidate has now been able to answer first and last, and has each received the same amount of time. Do the math on how long the forum is to determine the length each candidate gets. This is fair, this is right, this needs to happen NOW.
If every candidate knew they were being asked the same question, perhaps they would stay on topic a bit more than is currently the case. The viewing audience would also be more able to view contrasts in individual answers.
As a more tongue in cheek approach, I submit the following:
The idea struck me years ago after Governor Huckabee requested that Senator Thompson’s request for a debate in a Lincoln-Douglas style be accepted.
Why stop with just one debate? Why just two candidates?
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring to you… (Drum roll please)
American Ideals
No, not American Idol, the Fox TV favorite. American Ideals, the first ever televised and real time bracket driven Lincoln-Douglas debates decided immediately by the American people, with single elimination.
Allow me to back up for a moment. It is sad that we live in a day and age where what Brittany Spears looked like last night generates more press coverage and internet hits than the newest Obama war. This is the American Idol generation, after all. It’s flash, flare, drama, and popularity contests that grab the attention of the American people, so let’s cater a little bit to the fanfare requirements of the average US citizen and create a little bit of excitement for real politics at the same time. Maybe someone will actually learn something in the process.
We start by setting up the top eight candidates (some potential) into two four candidate brackets. For the sake of argument, let’s say we seed the candidates according to current polls. The winners of each contest would face the other winner from their bracket, and then each of the bracket champions would face each other in the final round.
We advertise it. We hype it up. We make it the biggest deal ever on American Television! Each of the contests would be an hour long episode in which the candidates engage in a real debate. Something of substance for a change! And sure, we’d throw in the obligatory just for fun final 10 minutes. I mean, it can’t be all serious or no one would tune in. We could have the candidates show off a talent, maybe fight with those cool pugil sticks from American Gladiators. I don’t know; something that makes must see TV.
At the conclusion of each episode, we have the Fox phone lines on standby for audience voting. The winner is announced the following episode.
Now, obviously a lot of the details still need to be worked out. This wouldn’t count as the actual election, but something needs to be offered to encourage participation. Perhaps with all the advertising money coming in, the winning candidate could receive a million dollars for their campaign. (To hell with campaign finance reform!)
More discourse is sorely needed in American Politics. I’m willing to go as far fetched as possible to help that happen.
I need a candidate, but I need to get a better feel for them before I commit.
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