Question regarding the townhall debate

[eissa]

Does anyone know if there is a mechanism in place that decides who gets into the audience? How do the campaigns ensure that one side isn't filling the seats with their people? As I recall, questions that will be presented to the candidates by the audience are pre-approved by the moderator ahead of time, no? If anyone can clarify this a bit, I'd appreciate it

[EC]

1. That was my ? also.

Rmoney packed the Latino conference with his supportors so I'd guess he'd likely hire some people to ask the questions of him.

[eissa]

3. BINGO

This is exactly what fuels my concern. Is there anything stopping him from doing that again? Furthermore, would it matter even if he did? If the questions are pre-screened, wouldn't it ensure that each side would receive an equal amount of positive/negative questioning? I was hoping someone who has been involved in setting up these types of debates could help shed some light.

[LonePirate]

2. I wish the questions were not pre-screened. It would make for a livelier and less scripted debate.

[bamacrat]

4. For real.

It would definitely bring up two questions quickly.. First would be the 47% video, second and maybe first really would be about marijuana legalization.

[ctaylors6]

5. According to website for CPD

"Second presidential debate (October 16, 2012, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY):
The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which citizens will ask questions of the candidates on foreign and domestic issues. Candidates each will have two minutes to respond, and an additional minute for the moderator to facilitate a discussion. The town meeting participants will be undecided voters selected by the Gallup Organization."

I couldn't find anything on the CPD website that mentioned how questions are selected.

Link to website for Commission for Presidential Debates format announcement: http://www.debates.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=38&cntnt01origid=27&cntnt01detailtemplate=newspage&cntnt01returnid=80

[eissa]

6. Thank you!

I guess I feel a bit better knowing that a neutral(?) third party is in charge of the selection. Not sure how I feel about "undecided" (insert Bill Maher joke here) voters asking the questions.