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2008 Presidential Debates

post #1 of 773
9/5/08 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 
As the conventions are over these debates are the next and last big political event until the election. I had postd this in the Election thread but it got lost and there seemed to be interest in knowing when they took place.


The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a non-profit organization established in 1987, organized the 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 debates. Previous debates were sponsored by the League of Women Voters (1976, 1980, and 1984) and the networks (1960). The CPD develops candidate selection criteria which are used to evaluate which candidates it will invite to participate. It proposes dates and locations of debates. It lines up corporate sponsors and oversees preparations for these important events.1 In Nov. 2007 the CPD proposed four 90-minute debates in the Fall of 2008. In an Aug. 2, 2008 letter Obama campaign manager David Plouffe accepted the CPD proposal. The two campaigns negotiated, Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) for Obama and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for McCain, and on Aug. 21, 2008 issued a joint statement accepting four debates as outlined in the CPD proposal. Each debate will begin at 9:00 p.m. EDT.


First presidential debate
Friday, September 26
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
[domestic policy]
Moderator: Jim Lehrer - Executive Editor and Anchor, The NewsHour, PBS

Vice presidential debate
Thursday, October 2
Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Moderator: Gwen Ifill - Senior Correspondent, The NewsHour, and Moderator and Managing Editor, Washington Week, PBS

Second Presidential debate
Tuesday, October 7
Belmont University, Nashville, TN
[town meeting format]
Moderator: Tom Brokaw - Special Correspondent, NBC News

Third presidential debate
Wednesday, October 15
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
[foreign policy]
Moderator: Bob Schieffer - CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent, and Host, Face the Nation


The Vice Presidential debate is probably the one that everyone is going to be looking at the closest. It'll be Palin's debut to the US in the debate format, as al the other candidates have had experince during this year's campaign.
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post #2 of 773
9/5/08 at 11:38am
Very much looking forward to these. Now i need to find a streaming version. I can't stand the real time translation of the CNN Anchors.
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post #3 of 773
9/5/08 at 11:40am
I'm glad Gwen Ifill will be in charge of that VP debate. I've always liked her.
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post #4 of 773
9/5/08 at 12:23pm
Palin hype is going supernova right now and may be burned out by the time the VP debate rolls around. I suppose it depends on how much they protect her until then.
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post #5 of 773
9/5/08 at 12:35pm
I have no doubt that Obama and Biden are smarter and more articulate than McCain and Palin. What worries me is that people will see them as too smart and articulate and feel like they're being mean to that poor old man and that nice mommy.
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post #6 of 773
9/5/08 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
I have no doubt that Obama and Biden are smarter and more articulate than McCain and Palin. What worries me is that people will see them as too smart and articulate and feel like they're being mean to that poor old man and that nice mommy.
Really, if anyone ends up thinking like that, they're either a) probably already neo con Republicans, and b) are so fucking dumb they deserve what they get if McCain and Glick are voted into office.
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post #7 of 773
9/5/08 at 12:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Clark View Post
Really, if anyone ends up thinking like that, they're either a) probably already neo con Republicans, and b) are so fucking dumb they deserve what they get if McCain and Glick are voted into office.
Yeah, but what about all the people who don't deserve it? We get stuck with them too . . .
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post #8 of 773
9/5/08 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JonStrickland View Post
Yeah, but what about all the people who don't deserve it? We get stuck with them too . . .
You beat me to it.
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post #9 of 773
9/5/08 at 12:52pm
And why does it seem that 75% of the debates this year are in the Redneck Belt?

I know that it shouldn't really factor in to it, but I suspect these play for a certain segment of the populace as "home" games. Much more than they should, at least.
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post #10 of 773
9/5/08 at 1:00pm
Don't know why. I do know the famous 1988 "If you wife was raped and murdered" debate was held over at UCLA.
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post #11 of 773
9/5/08 at 1:57pm
Hocken's mention of the '88 debate got me looking around online, and I found these pretty fascinating transcripts of the Jim Lehrer News Hour series Debating Our Destiny. Reading about the '88 and '92 debates, these two parties have been having the same argument for 20 years.
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post #12 of 773
9/5/08 at 2:12pm
Although we were certainly more concerned about drugs and Noriega during '88.
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post #13 of 773
9/5/08 at 2:14pm
I'm going to predict that Palin will again perform better than expected at the veep debates. We're a month away from her debate with Joe Biden. Plenty of time to do some prep work for the job. He will be more knowledgable and more nuanced but she will "win" because instead of nuanced answers, she'll spit out bumper stickers that are zingy and easy to remember. That's how it's going to go down folks.
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post #14 of 773
9/5/08 at 2:15pm
Well that and the bar will be set so low for Palin. Baring massive f-bombs. She'll appear to be a winner.
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post #15 of 773
9/5/08 at 2:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EdHocken View Post
Well that and the bar will be set so low for Palin. Baring massive f-bombs. She'll appear to be a winner.
I think Joe Biden is doing a good job so far by repeatedly calling her formidable. And since he's the only one speaking to the press, that impression might stick. Especially with Republicans who think her speech on Wednesday was amazing. I can't wait until she's decimated in the debates. It's going to be fun.
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post #16 of 773
9/5/08 at 2:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dynamotv View Post
I'm going to predict that Palin will again perform better than expected at the veep debates. We're a month away from her debate with Joe Biden. Plenty of time to do some prep work for the job. He will be more knowledgable and more nuanced but she will "win" because instead of nuanced answers, she'll spit out bumper stickers that are zingy and easy to remember. That's how it's going to go down folks.
Biden can come correct with the zingers himself, though. "Noun-verb-9/11" helped get him this gig...
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post #17 of 773
9/5/08 at 2:22pm
I wonder if the dems would bring Tina Fey in so Biden can practice debate against her?
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post #18 of 773
9/5/08 at 4:07pm
If she does the 'Basic Instinct' leg cross in front of Biden, the Dems loose!
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post #19 of 773
9/5/08 at 4:23pm
I don't remember the debates of the Rep. primary in 2000, but this time around, McCain didn't really do that great. Partly because his opponents were hammering him with all the instances were he didn't succumb to the basest instincts of the Republican party (anti-immigration, pro-torture, etc). He got lucky that his main opponent was Romney, who has the charisma of a paper bag and a total lack of honest convictions.

As for this round, people should remember that you don't win debates by being the most intelligent guy in the room, and there's quite a bit of luck involved in the process. Watch some of the YouTubes of the Gore/Bush debates and that should refresh your memory on this.

I'm mainly hoping these things are moderated decently. That the media demand details, details, details on any proposals and not get distracted by the candidates spouting lots of fluff. Let them talk about nothing during their closing statements, but focus the darned things on quality content.
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post #20 of 773
9/23/08 at 8:41am
First debate is this Friday.

I've gotten invites from both campaigns to these "Debate Watching" parties, anybody been to one of these before?
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post #21 of 773
9/23/08 at 8:49am
Haven't gotten an invite, but I'm throwing a party together with some friends. It's gonna be dope, barbecue and hot debate action and whatnot.
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post #22 of 773
9/23/08 at 9:13am
This is like the Super Bowl for political nerds. I've been looking forward to this for weeks, which is quite sad. This is the highlight of the week.
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post #23 of 773
9/23/08 at 9:42am
I can't wait to have a live discussion of this with you guys. I remember we did this back in 2004 and I just hope McCain will give us a line like "The Internets".

What's great here is that as far as the Obama-McCain debates, they're REAL debates. They're gonna have five minutes to go back and forth on a variety of issues. The key to the debates, I've learned from the last two elections, is do NOT look bored. If you look unhappy in any way, you've lost. John Kerry had the sense to just look amused and scribble when Bush was talking but at the same time, he missed several key opportunities to put him away.

I know the Obama campaign is going to try to make McCain lose his temper but it won't happen. McCain may go off in private but I've never seen any footage of the guy blowing his top.
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post #24 of 773
9/23/08 at 9:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EdHocken View Post
I wonder if the dems would bring Tina Fey in so Biden can practice debate against her?
He's practicing with Jennifer Granholm, governor of Michigan.
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post #25 of 773
9/23/08 at 9:53am
Is the information on this page accurate? I kept hearing from political commentators that Friday's debate is on foreign policy.
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post #26 of 773
9/23/08 at 10:44am
I'm really hoping Obama has been holding back on the campaign trail so he can really let McCain have it in the debates. I want "Game On"-style awesome here.
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post #27 of 773
9/23/08 at 10:49am
it is on foreign policy. The Obama campaign asked to move domestic (economy) to the last debate since it is percieved to help him the most and McCain's group said "Yes, please!"

Who'd want to debate economy this week?
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post #28 of 773
9/23/08 at 10:50am
Let's all remember that he's not that good of a debater. The primaries were nothing special.

I hope he worked on it though.
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post #29 of 773
9/23/08 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElCapitanAmerica View Post
Is the information on this page accurate? I kept hearing from political commentators that Friday's debate is on foreign policy.
I think the info on this page is incorrect. I seem to remember hearing that they switched the topics around a few days ago so that economy and other domestic issues is last now. Good for Obama.

Can anyone tell me what time they take place (London time) and if they can be watched online?
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post #30 of 773
9/23/08 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElCapitanAmerica View Post
As for this round, people should remember that you don't win debates by being the most intelligent guy in the room, and there's quite a bit of luck involved in the process. Watch some of the YouTubes of the Gore/Bush debates and that should refresh your memory on this.
This --^

These are politicians. They won't answer questions, they won't debate a damn thing. They will speak as confidently and eloquently as possible without sounding too confusing, and hope for the best.
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post #31 of 773
9/23/08 at 1:56pm
I get the feeling that these debates will be fairly by the number affairs. I'd love for Obama to come out and destroy, but I think he is genuinely afraid of coming across as angry and will hold back.

Part of me is hoping for a McCain explosion, though. I know it's doubtful, but if the guy just loses his cool one time it could be a game changer.
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post #32 of 773
9/23/08 at 2:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tati View Post
Let's all remember that he's not that good of a debater. The primaries were nothing special.

I hope he worked on it though.
That was against the savvy likes of Hillary Clinton. These debates are against a guy who gets utterly owned by hardcore political news outlets like Glamour Magazine and The View, and who backed down from a Larry King interview after CNN asked too many hard hitting questions (such as, and I paraphrase, "WTF? Seriously?") about his flower vase of a running mate. That disastrous interview for Spanish radio should have been a campaign ender.
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post #33 of 773
9/23/08 at 2:09pm
Again, go to the YouTube videos of Bush/Gore debates, and that should help you lower your expectations.
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post #34 of 773
9/23/08 at 2:42pm
It's all about charisma isn't it?
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post #35 of 773
9/23/08 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bitch Leave View Post
It's all about charisma isn't it?
If it was, then Obama would destroy.
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post #36 of 773
9/23/08 at 3:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by reggie-wanker View Post
That was against the savvy likes of Hillary Clinton. These debates are against a guy who gets utterly owned by hardcore political news outlets like Glamour Magazine and The View, and who backed down from a Larry King interview after CNN asked too many hard hitting questions (such as, and I paraphrase, "WTF? Seriously?") about his flower vase of a running mate. That disastrous interview for Spanish radio should have been a campaign ender.
Of course, you have to take into account that the main criticism of Obama right now is being "elitist/uppity". If I were part of his campaign I'd be going out of my fucking mind trying to figure out the best strategy for debating an outmatched opponent when your guy's biggest liability is that people think he's too good.
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post #37 of 773
9/23/08 at 4:09pm
I understand that he's a thinker, but I just don't need Obama stammering and stuttering all over the place. I really hope he's found a way to allow the wheels to turn and fill up the silence without the "aaaahs" and the "eeeehhhhhs", making him look weak and indecisive.

McCain does the "My friends" bit. Barack needs a filler like that.
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post #38 of 773
9/23/08 at 5:17pm
So the structure agreed to for the Biden/Palin debate:

Quote:
In the negotiations, Republicans wanted to limit the amount of time available for their neophyte candidate, Palin, to be questioned on a single topic. Democrats, meanwhile, wanted to be sure Biden and Palin spoke from lecterns rather than sitting at a table the way Vice President Cheney and his rivals in 2000 (Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut) and 2004 (Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina) did. Both sides got what they wanted. Palin and Biden will each have 90 seconds to respond to questions, followed by a two-minute period for discussion between the candidates.
Do the Democrats think this was some good negotiating? "She won't have to give any real answers, but at least we didn't let her get away with sitting at a table!
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post #39 of 773
9/23/08 at 6:09pm
I don't get the table thing.
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post #40 of 773
9/23/08 at 6:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElCapitanAmerica View Post
I don't get the table thing.
A table seems less formal and, weird as it may sound, it probably less stressful on the candidate.
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post #41 of 773
9/23/08 at 6:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bitch Leave View Post
Can anyone tell me what time they take place (London time) and if they can be watched online?
Anyone know? I'm up here in Canada (with no cable) and want to watch them online if I can.
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post #42 of 773
9/23/08 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sumeragi View Post
Anyone know? I'm up here in Canada (with no cable) and want to watch them online if I can.
Canadian and you have no cable? What are you a fur trapper?

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post #43 of 773
9/23/08 at 7:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JudgeSmails View Post
Canadian and you have no cable? What are you a fur trapper?
It's hard to get reception inside an igloo.

Well, actually my roommates and I are just that broke. It was either cable or groceries. You can always watch 'Fringe' online, but you can't download food.
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post #44 of 773
9/24/08 at 1:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tati View Post
Very much looking forward to these. Now i need to find a streaming version. I can't stand the real time translation of the CNN Anchors.
I've heard people on the radio, hosts as well as callers, saying that C-SPAN was a solution to this. But I don't know if that meant cable or web, so if you arent in teh usa you might be out of luck.
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post #45 of 773
9/24/08 at 1:12am
This is the official site from the "Commission on Presidential Debates"
http://www.myspace.com/mydebates
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post #46 of 773
9/24/08 at 2:42pm
Zogby Poll: Obama Smarter Than McCain; Will Win Friday's Debate

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1558
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post #47 of 773
9/24/08 at 3:29pm
That's a really silly poll. IQ has nothing to do with winning a debate. Although, the free-wheeling format will be interesting. I'm really looking forward to this debate.
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post #48 of 773
9/24/08 at 3:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElCapitanAmerica View Post
Zogby Poll: Obama Smarter Than McCain; Will Win Friday's Debate

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1558
Is it possible that too much riding on performance in the debate?

Plus this...



All rational people can see the (perceived) strengths there. The problem is the element that I'm afraid will really matter.

Man, Obama 26% Patriotism? That's just ahead of
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post #49 of 773
9/24/08 at 3:58pm
Posted on the presidential thread, but McCain is asking for cancellation of Friday's debate in order to negotiate bailout deal.
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post #50 of 773
9/24/08 at 4:01pm
And temporarily suspending his campaign to work on the crisis.
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