Is it possible for a Democratic candidate to win a Presidential debate?

[Orrex]

Last edited Thu Oct 4, 2012, 06:47 AM - Edit history (1)

Honestly, is it?

Granted, Obama wasn't in top form tonight, but every single time a Democrat wipes the floor with a Republican opponent, the MSM goes out of its way to spin it to the Repub's favor. If the Dem appears confident, he's criticized for being aggressive. If he gives thorough answers, he's attacked for being "professorial." If he demonstrates a firm command of the facts, he's called a "know it all."

And even in debates where the Dem is the obvious and indisputable winner (I'm looking at you, Al Gore), the MSM still manages to find a focus group of "undecided" voters who declare that the idiot Repub came across better and ultimately won the debate.

Excuse me for ranting, but holy shit!

[cthulu2016]

1. Yes. I can name lots of them the media scored for us

Mondale's first in '84

All three of Clinton's in 1992. Two or three of clintons in 1996.

At least two of Kerry's in 2004.

All of Obama's in 2008.

[Orrex]

3. Encouraging, but...

Did they call them immediately in the Dems' favor?

I think we can omit Mondale as ancient history, and maybe Clinton's 1992 debates as well. Very little is now as it was then.

Thanks for the reminder about Obama's 08 scores. My recollection is that the Dems are consistently held to a higher standard and criticized for failing to meet it. Perhaps that's a skewed memory.

Still, I stand by my assertion about the focus groups. In the immediate aftermath of the debates, you can count on CNN et al to find a roomful of idiots eager to praise the Repub's mediocre performance.

[tblue]

2. Bill Clinton did. And Ted Kennedy did v. Romney

So yes it's possible. But you gotta be ready to either define your opponent or sell a strong and hopeful vision, or both. Preferably both. Our POTUS didn't do either tonight and I am wondering if he pulled his punches or did he not understand that MR was spewing lies?

[krawhitham]

4. Obama won them all 4 year ago VS McCain

according to the flash polls at the time

[moondust]

5. Today's corporate media always want a close race.

Excitement translates into more viewers that translate into more campaign advertising dollars. That dynamic is no doubt much worse this cycle with all the additional campaign spending enabled by Citizens United.

[DarthDem]

6. All Three of Obama's in 2008 . . . .

BUT after two of them (the first and third, I think), the MSMers were carefully, subtly trotting out the meme that McClown won, sort of gingerly testing it out, getting ready to declare it . . . and then the flash polls came in for Obama and they had to admit that Obama won. So your point is pretty well taken, at least going back to 2000. The media absolutely hated Al Gore, was only slightly more charitable with John Kerry, and also gave Dumbya a pass on almost everything in all six of his debates.

[JI7]

7. yes, you think if Obama had done what Romney did they wouldn't have given him the Gore Treatment ?