[quote]Gambit_Lost wrote:
I’m still not understanding why debating the merits and perils of this in front of the American public shouldn’t be a part of “the dialogue.” By definition a debate is “dialogue.” And there is no possible way for it “to go on without them.” They’re running for president.
Are you trying to say that the dialogue should only go on behind closed doors?[/quote]
I am saying that actual debate time and time spent preparing to debate this and OTHER issues should not interfere with meetings with the administration and Congress and committees in an active attempt to come to a resolution. There should certainly be a debate. A week later won’t hurt anything.
[quote]Gambit_Lost wrote:
I’m still not understanding why debating the merits and perils of this in front of the American public shouldn’t be a part of “the dialogue.” By definition a debate is “dialogue.” And there is no possible way for it “to go on without them.” They’re running for president.
Are you trying to say that the dialogue should only go on behind closed doors?[/quote]
The debate topic for tonight is supposed to be foreign policy. I don’t see how debating that is going to help solve the immediate problems at hand.
Besides - they need to be in Washington trying to hammer out a deal if there is not a viable deal on the table. Pandering in front of a camera in Mississippi is not going to accomplish anything.
[quote]Gambit_Lost wrote:
I’m still not understanding why debating the merits and perils of this in front of the American public shouldn’t be a part of “the dialogue.” By definition a debate is “dialogue.” And there is no possible way for it “to go on without them.” They’re running for president.
Are you trying to say that the dialogue should only go on behind closed doors?[/quote]
These debates a are a joke.
One minute responses and shorter counter responses.
They do have an effect on the voting public which is a shame.
To be fair they do also tell us something about the candidates temperament sometimes, but they tell us nothing about the issues. At least nothing we don’t already know.
I’d like to see them put on a stage and argue like a coupla men with questions from the public.
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
These debates a are a joke.
They do have an effect on the voting public which is a shame.[/quote]
I agree. I don’t think these debates are really going to make or break anyone’s decision on who to vote for. Pretty much everyone has made up their mind already, and if they haven’t they probably won’t be voting anyway.
All the debates are really going to do is give the media a bunch of soundbites to have a lot of fun with. I can see how it will turn out, no matter who looks stronger in the debates everyone is going to beam about how Obama shined and schooled McCain on everything.
I think America only sees this election as: Old white guy vs young black guy with pretty smile. Idiot America is easily swayed by this.
The made for TV movie of this election is going to be much more exciting than the real thing!
[quote]skaz05 wrote:
<<< Pretty much everyone has made up their mind already, and if they haven’t they probably won’t be voting anyway. >>>[/quote]
Hold on here. If the polls are to be believed at all, more people than ever can’t make up their minds.
The debates give people almost nothing of substance to do that with, but the debates are always cited as the single greatest factor in doing so.
I personally know people who told me they stood in the booth for a while in 04 because they couldn’t make up their mind even then.
People always mention “he appeared or seemed” or “said this or that one statement that caught my attention and changed my mind” when asked what effect the debates had on them.
I’m telling you right now a sizable portion of those who WILL vote couldn’t tell you the difference between the house and senate, have no clue how a law is passed or that there was a time when we didn’t have federal income tax or social programs in this country.
All they know is who the president is and if things are bad he did it and if they’re good he’s a hero. They view things through monocratic eyes.
If he would go in there, require that the trash loans be exempt from Sarbanes-Oxley, and set up an insurance corp like FDIC, or FSLIC which would insure the junk loans only upon default - he could walk through the streets naked, and be hailed as the savior.
But no one wants to take the easy route out. The government could fuck up putting air in a flat tire.
[/quote]
This is exactly what they are proposing. This and some sort of tax cut to stimulate investment.
The difference my friend is that the focus of the campaign is now on McCain. If Obama declines to suspend the debate he looks like a cheesy politician. If he goes along with McCain he looks like he’s following McCain “the leader”. When do you ask a question? When no matter how the other person answers…you win.
I’m telling you right now a sizable portion of those who WILL vote couldn’t tell you the difference between the house and senate, have no clue how a law is passed or that there was a time when we didn’t have federal income tax or social programs in this country.
All they know is who the president is and if things are bad he did it and if they’re good he’s a hero. They view things through monocratic eyes.
[/quote]
This described every one of my voting friends.
“When Clinton was in everything was perfect, when Bush was in everything went to shit”. Not to mention when Clinton was in they were all under 18 and didn’t even know shit. My voting friends are the epitome of all those that should not be voting.
I’m telling you right now a sizable portion of those who WILL vote couldn’t tell you the difference between the house and senate, have no clue how a law is passed or that there was a time when we didn’t have federal income tax or social programs in this country.
All they know is who the president is and if things are bad he did it and if they’re good he’s a hero. They view things through monocratic eyes.
This described every one of my voting friends.
“When Clinton was in everything was perfect, when Bush was in everything went to shit”. Not to mention when Clinton was in they were all under 18 and didn’t even know shit. My voting friends are the epitome of all those that should not be voting.[/quote]