Would more or fewer debates be more effective in informing voters?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	More
	7 (100%)
	Fewer
	0 (0%)
	Equal
	0 (0%)
	No debates would be preferable
	0 (0%)
	Let them just show the voters commercials
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[Octafish]

1. Plus, it's free air time.

More debates mean more Americans will get a chance to hear the Democratic candidates themselves, unfiltered by Roger Ailes & Friends.

[arcane1]

2. More, especially if not run by the parties themselves n/t

[Kalidurga]

3. More

and I like Bernie's idea of a mixed debate. At least with the top 3 candidates from each party plus maybe even a couple people from slightly less popular parties (not all parties but maybe the Green Party, Constitution Party). I am not firm on going outside the two parties because even with just Democrats and Republicans people will be able to see a clear difference.

[NV Whino]

4. The debates, as they are currently run, are a joke.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. I strongly suspect those that require informing ...

are not the ones that sit through debates ... they might catch some pundits summation or catch a gotcha moment on the news ... in passing.

So, I have no opinion on more or fewer.

[yeoman6987]

6. I think 2016 is make or break for networks doing the debates

I know both parties think they are a joke and could easily get together and do them online with both parties negotiating time and other factors. Networks better give a dang good informative debate or it may be their last.

[RobertEarl]

8. That there is the target >>> networks

We need a coordinated and focused grassroots campaign directed at the networks demanding they use some of their profits to air at least 30 debates in the primaries and another 30 in the general election.

We could threaten to boycott. Make a public stink. Turn off our TV's for a week. Protest in front of local stations. Get all the under funded candidates to raise their voices.

What else?

[bigwillq]

7. Fewer

I think debates are just political theater. Not sure how the rest of the country feels, but does a large portion of the country even watch them? I am not sure, and I am too lazy to Google. LOL

I would like to see debates go inter-active, without the involvement of a sponsor or host, and I would also like candidates to take more advantage of social media by allowing interested folks to ask questions and have the candidate interact with them. I also really like town hall meetings.

I know Obama has been active in engaging on social media, and I think it's a strength.

edited: By fewer, I mean fewer televised debates.

[RobertEarl]

9. A minority opinion, bwq

And one that is just more of the same old same old.

Bernie has this figured out and he wants more debates. Who am I to argue with Bernie?

[bigwillq]

10. We should always argue with our politicians!

I do like Bernie's mixed debate idea. Could be interesting.

[Johonny]

12. I agree

Debates are usually used to frame "issues" rather than allow candidates to bring issues up. We aren't talking the Lincoln/Douglas debates. We are talking about basically political theater in these things. Id love MORE debates if the candidates were going to actually debate a liberal concept like poverty and societal needs in relationship to it. You won't ever get that. All you get is sound bytes. To get actual policy you often have to go to the candidates website... So long as the debates are TV sideshow to discus RW talking points... why do I need any of them?

[Major Hogwash]

11. The more the merrier.

The GOP should have way more debates this year.
I can't wait to see the Republican Klown Kar drive out on to the stage and for all of the GOP Klowns to pile out, and then start giggling to each other like 14-year old girls at an 8th grade "Princess of the Class" beauty pageant like the last time.

It was the funniest thing on tv at the time.

[whatchamacallit]

13. I'm trying to figure out 'equal'

But yeah, more is better. It should be a fucking gauntlet.