Who won the debate? Almost everyone from media to everyday Americans agree...

[tecelote]

The Republicans.

So many of my Democratic friends were able to watch the Republican debate but weren't even able to watch their own party's debate because it was scheduled for a Saturday night.

This is a great disservice to the American people.

[merrily]

1. I haven't been calling her Debbie Republican Schultz for nothing.

She let the Republicans take up all the oxygen in the room until mid-October, then she scheduled debates at the worst times she could manage. Sports, Saturday before Christmas (date of every office holiday party I've ever attended), etc. Depriving the Democratic candidates (and Americans) of hours of free air time.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Office parties would make good debate watching parties, complete with drinking games. nt

[merrily]

3. Hi. I don't think that would happen. Everyone who works in firm isn't a Democrat.

Some parties are formal--band, dinner dance kind of thing.

[homegirl]

37. I am not a

Republican but I watch the Tepublican debates. To not know the positions and policies of the opposition party is foolish.

[tecelote]

5. Agreed.

Why would we not want maximum viewership for our Democratic debates? 'Just astounded.

[merrily]

10. It was only the hours the debates consumed, but all the buzz and parsing and coverage of

individual candidates between one Republican debate and the next. Meanwhile, the coverage from media of our side then was Hillary's emails and Sanders allegedly can't win.

DWS needs to go. She made a massively bad judgment when she chose the strategy for the 2014 midterms and a massively bad decision to run this primary season to make sure Hillary wins, whatever it takes.

[tecelote]

32. So, reading all the excuses below, there are no reasons for this.

What's your take?

1. Incompetence

2. Conspiracy

Hate to say it but, it looks like conspiracy to me.

[merrily]

33. I don't need to put a label on it. Clearly, she wants Hillary to have every advantage

and news reports have said Hillary got the schedule her campaign wanted.

[tecelote]

34. I understand your hesitation on using labels.

But, I think we need to call it what it is so, maybe, it won't happen again.

We need everyday Americans to hear our candidates proposals. Exposure is key and to undercut it is inexcusable.

[merrily]

52. Did I describe it as it is?

[tecelote]

53. Absolutely.

In re-reading it, it does sound somewhat contentious but that was unintentional.

It was not intended as a criticism of your posts. I completely agree and respect what you have posted.

[Joe the Revelator]

4. Saturday debates are literally the dumbest thing I've ever heard of.

Nobody is paying attention on Saturday night to politics.

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. Alas. That's the idea.

No one watches. No on "important" gets hurt.

Or so it seems.

[merrily]

11. That was exactly the point of scheduling them that way--lowest viewership possible.

[appalachiablue]

29. Didn't see her face on stage post-debate last night, unike the last time. What a wreck-

[1StrongBlackMan]

15. Do you really think the people that aren't paying attention to politics on Saturday Night ...

suddenly pay attention on Wednesday night?

[Joe the Revelator]

26. Honestly, yes.

Which is why shows that Networks want people to see are on primetime Monday through Thursday, and networks send shows that are dying to Friday night and Saturday night hospice.

[Ferd Berfel]

35. Absolutly and of Course Yes. And so Does DWS and the DLC, Corporatists

Or they would have had the debate on a Wednesday Night.

[OilemFirchen]

51. Ah.

Much better to have a debate during the week, when everyone is watching their favorite shows.

How convincing!

[Joe the Revelator]

66. 8 million people watched last night vs 23 million people who watched the 2nd republican debate

you do the math

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. It's more than a mere "disservice."

It (i.e. the scheduling along w. the packed gallery.)

is an insult to our collective intelligence by the DNC.



I hear tell they/SHE (i.e. DWS) want(s) the next one for New Year's Eve.

Say around ....11 pm?

[DCBob]

8. There will be plenty of debates between the Democratic and Republican nominee next year.

What is happening now with the Dem debates has little to no effect on the GE.

[tecelote]

13. "What is happening now with the Dem debates has little to no effect on the GE."

I agree but it doesn't have to be that way.

I ask again, why wouldn't we want maximum exposure for Democrat's proposals and ideals?

The Republicans completely outmaneuvered us this time.

[DCBob]

21. I think many insiders in the DNC thought there was no need to have a messy lengthy debate process..

when we already had a good solid candidate. Its as simple as that, I believe.

[tecelote]

22. Yes. Despite asking for a reasonable answer, we know this is it.

Unreasonable yet seems to be the reality.

Again... it's a great disservice to all Americans.

[Duckhunter935]

20. thats fine if you have already selected a nominee

we have not and deserve good debates to make our choice before the GE.

[paleotn]

36. Exactly. (nt)

[bahrbearian]

40. Everyone knows its her turn, She called Dibbs

[Nonhlanhla]

9. Isn't the CBS GOP debate also scheduled for a Saturday?

Saturday, Fen. 13, 2016. Scheduled GOP debate on CBS.

Is it possible that this is a CBS scheduling issue?

[PosterChild]

55. Hey, wait, what?

You mean there might have been some consideration of some factors other than what is or isn't (precived) as good or bad for hrc. INCONSIVABLE!

[Scuba]

12. Hey, hey, ho, ho. DINO Debbie's got to go!

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. Why weren't your Democratic Friends able to watch the debates on Saturday night, as opposed to ...

a Wednesday night?

[tecelote]

18. First, why air during the "death slot" of TV? Why not get more exposure?

I would assume you know the answer to your own question. Many more people are away from home Saturday night.

Here is simple reality - Saturday night is not a popular time for watching TV - it's one of the the "Death Slots".

From Wikipedia:

"However, some cable channels aimed at children, teenage or pre-teen audiences (such as Nickelodeon and Disney Channel) have experienced success with original programs that they commonly air in the perceived Friday and Saturday night death slots; Nickelodeon in particular..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayparting

[1StrongBlackMan]

24. I suspect the answer to my question is ...

Because they chose to do other things, rather than watch the debates on Saturday night.

BTW, the "death slot" applies more to on-going series, rather than, one time events.

[tecelote]

25. Excuses for lower viewership.

Why would you not want maximum exposure?

Fear of success?

[1StrongBlackMan]

30. Yeah ... Okay. n/t

[tecelote]

31. You have all sorts of excuses.

Give us one good reason.

I'm baffled.

I can just assume incompetence or conspiracy. The only reasons I have seen posted.

---

Reason: : a statement or fact that explains why something is the way it is, why someone does, thinks, or says something, or why someone behaves a certain way.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reason

[PosterChild]

57. Soo does the DNC get to...

.... dictate exactly when the debate is scheduled or is that negotiated with the network ? And might the network have some considerations or priorities other than what would be the absolute best for your favorite candidate ?

[Fred Sanders]

16. Saturday night's all right for fighting....and debating!

The "Saturday night" is not all right meme is one of the sadder ones, I think!

[karynnj]

17. we live in a time where you do not have to watch it live

This is not the 1960s where if you missed a show, you missed it until reruns started.

[tecelote]

19. No one is answering the real question...

If you can gain more viewers with a better schedule, why not do it?

No more excuses for why lower standards are good enough.

[zalinda]

44. This may not be the 1960's

but many people are still living like it is. You are thinking like someone who has DVR, DVD recorder or even a VHS recorder. Then there are also people who can do certain things on the Internet, but for some reason cannot figure out how to find something. Many, many poor do not have the advantage of watching later. Hell, when I bring VHS tapes to the food pantry, they are snapped up before I leave. Most don't have cable, so the last 'two' debates weren't seen.

Once again, the poor are left out of the equation.

Z

[AzDar]

23. Thanks to Debbie What'sHerParty?-Schultz...

[Ferd Berfel]

27. Just to Echo: DWS and her Corporatist,DLC, Third Way, Blue Dog Wingnuts

have to be removed from the Democratic Party. They are the disenfranchised moderate Republicans too frightened of their own party to take it back.

But setting the debate up so that as few people would see it as possible was the DWS Corporate Plan: Democratic Party Hopes No One Watches Democratic Debates

[AlbertCat]

28. but weren't even able to watch

Not "able"?


Still...dreadful (deliberately dreadful? Naively dreadful? (as in I don't understand TV demographics....even tho most of us here do. What's the adjective for "hubris"?) scheduling.

[oberliner]

38. The debates are kind of pointless

It seems all about getting sound bytes and one-liners.

I'd rather have each candidate sit down and answer questions one-on-one with a knowledgable interviewer for an hour or two.

[bigwillq]

39. If someone could not watch, that's their own problem.

How long has this debate been scheduled for? Priorities. One should make time for the things they find important. Plus, one does not need to watch it live to watch it. There's other ways to view programs now.

[zalinda]

45. See answer #44 ep,

[JoePhilly]

41. Your Democratic friends don't have access to the Internet?

[tecelote]

47. How is that relevant?

The question is not "can they see it?".

The question is why not get as much exposure for our candidates and their proposals as possible?

[JoePhilly]

54. So what day and time should the debates be held?

And which time zone?

[tecelote]

61. My best guess would be Tues, Wed or Thurs at 8 pm.

As opposed to the death slot...

From Wikipedia:

"However, some cable channels aimed at children, teenage or pre-teen audiences (such as Nickelodeon and Disney Channel) have experienced success with original programs that they commonly air in the perceived Friday and Saturday night death slots; Nickelodeon in particular..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayparting

---

Do you have a reason not to maximize exposure of our candidates to the American people?

[JoePhilly]

62. I'd be unlikely to watch during any of those slots.

We do family stuff on week nights.

[Helen Borg]

42. Sanders won. Fair and square.

[Duckhunter935]

48. I think it was a tie

Sanders/O'M

[Helen Borg]

49. In short: Hillary lost.

[Duckhunter935]

50. Yep

[artyteacher]

43. This is stupid

There's nothing on TV anyway. If you want to see it, tune in.

[zalinda]

46. And, if they are working? eom

[senz]

56. DWS would rather the Republicans win than Hillary lose.

We know she wouldn't survive on DU. Hopefully she and her type are on their way out of the Democratic Party.

[moobu2]

58. There are a lot of places on the net where it can still be watched in full.

[tecelote]

60. Another excuse for incompetence.

Maximum exposure should be the goal. Still no reason for why not.

[Hortensis]

59. Why? Are Democrats only allowed to work swing-shift weekend jobs?

That's sarcasm and "CAN'T" is BS, btw.

Studying the candidates positions on their websites will inform far better than watching all 6 debates, but any blame anyone needs to cast should be squarely on citizens who don't BOTHER to watch.

[Juicy_Bellows]

63. Well I see you got a bunch of nothing from a lot of people.

When something so obvious gets obfuscated and distorted for no real reason, we've entered the nanny nanny booboo phase. If you support HRC you can simply state it is a terrible time schedule, likely to favor HRC.

However, we can't seem to do that! Rather ask about the internet or who watches live TV or we do stuff during the work week! DERP!

Tired of it.

[tecelote]

64. Obfuscation. Exactly.

'You think they're paid to be so obtuse?

[Juicy_Bellows]

67. I don't know what the hell they are thinking.

Being paid makes the most sense but some of these folks been here for years. Perhaps they are in it for the long con.

[Doctor_J]

65. The idea was to hide Hillary, so in that respect it was a great success