Debate: worst format ever. Brokaw: not so bad.

[endarkenment]

I thought the VP debate was the worst format ever, but that debate at least allowed for some follow up exchanges between the candidates. Last night's Town Hall format, with no follow up at all, was simply not a debate. Instead it was a rather lame question and answer session. There was no dialog between the candidates, no dialog between candidate and audience question asker, and no dialog with the moderator.

Brokaw, who I expected to be the usual thinly veiled CorpMedia Refuglican Hack, was (and perhaps only because of the absurd format) actually neutral.

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

1. Good assessment, I think.

How did they all agree to a format that allows dubious charges to be left dangling, and the viewers scratching their heads? The one-minute "follow-ups" were usually more "change the subject" than clarification. What kind of a "debate" is that? Give the "debators" some latitude, and maybe some truth will (even accidentally) come out.

[Lancer]

2. Respectfully disagree re: Brokaw

I felt he played fast and loose with the format from time to time and let things get a little out of hand.

I agree the format was awful. "Town Hall Meetings" lend themselves to speechifying, not one-on-one exchanges; which is what I think people really want to see at this point. JMO

[demokatgurrl]

3. Full disclosure: I did not watch

but what I heard this morning was that Brokaw kept cutting Obama off. Not true?

[CoffeeCat]

4. I've got news for John McCain...

...a town-hall format may have been McCain's strong suit years ago, but the format now
eviscerates him.

The intimate setting of a town hall only magnifies his wretched personality, his awkward
social skills and his seething anger.

McCain looked like a doddering old fool last night.

It's hilarious that McCain begged Obama to do multiple town-hall meetings. I guess McCain thought he
could really shine and outwit Obama in that format. Is the man completely delusional?

Maybe McCain's next brilliant suggestion will be that he and Obama duel it out on the basketball court. :eyes:

[VWolf]

5. The town hall format usually works well for McCain

because the "hall" is filled with loyalty-oath-signing Repugs. Preaching to the choir is easy.