Reply #23: We used to have at least a semblance of real debates [View All]

[woo me with science]

until Ross Perot ran for President and scared the hell out of the two corporate parties.

From the 1970's until Ross Perot ran for office, the League of Women Voters managed the debates, and there was at least some attempt to provide time for actual questions and relatively in-depth answers, direct questioning and response between candidates, and follow-up.

After Ross Perot shook up the system, the RNC and the DNC took immediate steps together to gain control of the debates, including format and qualifications for entrance. The League of Women Voters was aghast and withdrew in disgust, issuing a strongly worded press release:

"The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates...because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public."

The League of Women Voters' sponsorship was replaced with the Commission on Presidential Debates, run by the RNC and the DNC. Talk about a conflict of interest. Now we have a fluff-fest. Sixty-second commercials from each candidate, with thirty-second follow-up, and tight controls to prevent any serious competition by non-approved candidates.

The Commission on Presidential Debates is just one more example of how our election process has been restructured in order to ensure that the corporate-chosen candidates do not face serious scrutiny or challenge. The RNC and the DNC do not want a substantive debate, or challenges to the corporate commercials. Imagine Rick Perry having to conduct himself in a real, three-hour question-and-answer session with real follow-up. Imagine Sarah Palin or George Bush in a real debate format.

We have to reform the entire damned system.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election_debates