Has Your Vote Ever Changed as the Result of a Debate?

[LuvNewcastle]

I've been voting since 1988, and I can't think of a time when I was so impressed by a candidate that I switched my allegiance from another. It hasn't happened during a primary debate or a general election debate. Please post your experiences with debates and how you choose your candidates.

[onehandle]

1. No Presidential debate has ever changed my mind.

The only election I've ever not picked the nominee correctly in advance was in 2008.

I chose John Edwards (as many others did here), but frequently mentioned that I would be happy with any of the top three.

After he (thankfully) dropped out, I did not choose between Obama and Hillary during the campaign.

[LuvNewcastle]

8. I liked Edwards, too.

In 1992, I liked Jerry Brown. I've always studied each candidate's position on the issues before choosing. Debates seem to be more about the candidates' appearances and speaking ability than anything else. I suppose there are people who choose candidates based on their looks and their speaking styles, so the debates would be important to people like that.

[still_one]

2. nope

[djean111]

3. Nope. Doubt it ever will. My candidate would have to break down, do or say

something completely out of character, or something like that. And even then, I would not be "embracing" another candidate. I would just lose my enthusiasm, and pay no more attention until time to vote. My enthusiasm is not really transferable.

[bigwillq]

4. No (nt)

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Not Really

I usually had my mind made up about which person i wanted as the nominee before the debates based upon what i'd read and seen.

I don't recall ever changing my mind about it. Possibly, but i don't remember it and my first vote was a state and federal (house and Senate) in 1974

[Cosmic Kitten]

6. YES

Other than that one time...
straight ticket

[Fred Sanders]

7. Was there a "debate" recently? I heard there was a human cattle call last night, is that why you ask?

[ananda]

9. No, but I remember the famous Kennedy/Nixon debate..

.. which I watched when I was twelve.

That one changed the minds of lots of people, including my dad's.

[Deadshot]

10. Never.

[fredamae]

11. No. Because

They're all coached. They only respond with political/corporate talking points. What did we even learn? What did we expect? I expected it to be as devoid of facts, issues and context as it was and always is.
No one says anything re: How they'd do the things they say we find problematic/need/want them to do.
No Plans on How they'd change and fix a damned thing...........

Political Debates are more like "Miss America pageants and Movie Awards Ceremonies"- Scripted, carefully choreographed, sucking up to the wealthy and very superficial.

[Jim__]

12. Have you ever watched a presidential debate before you've made up your mind?

The only people who are likely to decide based on a debate are the people who are undecided at the beginning of the debate.

[tkmorris]

13. Yes. Sort of, anyway

In 1991-92 I didn't back anyone in particular in the Democratic primaries. Most of the people I had hoped might run, didn't, and I wasn't too excited about anyone in the field we were left with. Of those I was leaning towards Paul Tsongas, but not with any real conviction.

However after watching a couple of debates, and one speech given just after the Iowa Caucus, it became clear to me that there was one little heralded candidate who had a presence none of the others could match. That was Bill Clinton of course. The odd thing was that in 1992 I cared what the candidates ideas were but the most important thing was to find someone who could WIN. That has not been my focus before or since, but in 92 it was all that really mattered. Before the 2nd primary I was absolutely convinced Clinton was that guy. No one else even came close.

[SheilaT]

14. No. Nor has a VP pick ever changed my vote,

although Gore's selection of Lieberman was difficult to swallow.

[TreasonousBastard]

15. Not that I can remember. Debates are not...

for changing people's minds, although that might be an added benefit sometimes.

What we call "debates" aren't even real debates so much as showing the candidates in their best light to confirm the decision you have made through other means.

[smirkymonkey]

16. No, and given the mentality of the average GOP voter, this isn't going to have

much of an effect on swaying their choices either.

[kelliekat44]

17. 1960. Kennedy Nixon debate. Changed my entire family vote. nt

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

18. No

Not even ever close to doing so.

[Johonny]

19. I think there is alway the potential for a debate to change my mind: See Lieberman vs. Cheney

When I saw Joe Lieberman fail against Dick Cheney I knew he was the wrong choice for VP. I never respected the man again. I would not have confidence voting for him for any office after that performance.

So in closing, if one of our candidates came off like Rick Perry during a debate then I don't care how great their policies are. You can't win the presidency going on stage like Rick Perry... I doubt any candidate will be that bad. You have to be able to hold your own on stage.

[surrealAmerican]

20. Primary debates: Yes.

I live in a state with later primaries, frequently my first choice candidate is out of the race by the time I get to choose. Debates are one of my main ways of choosing a replacement.

[Igel]

21. Yup.

And I don't watch debates. But a few times answers have shaken loose something that led to me changing my mind.

I usually sit down a week or two before the primaries and sort though what I think are important issues and what candidates have said. Then I decide who'll get my vote. I don't have single issues. Sometimes I think really important issues don't matter because that politician's views are irrelevant: Why do I care about the dog catcher's views on the I/P conflict? If I think the President has no authority over something I don't care if a presidential candidate agrees with me or not.

Until then, "my candidate" is just the one at the top of my ranking. It relieves me of the angst of not having the perfect candidate or of deluding myself into thinking that my candidate is perfect. I do not identify with my final candidate, nor do I get vicarious satisfaction or validation from his/her winning. Somebody's going to get the job, better my candidate than somebody else's.

Oddly, it also is evidence-based and research-driven. Most research shows that negative ads are better than positive ads: They provide more information for most voters. They may raise bogus issues, but they also raise real issues that need to be dealt with. Only die-hard advocates really get pissed off over them, whether the issues raised are bogus or not.

[ibegurpard]

22. yes

But not general election debates.