How long will the debates be?

[uawchild]

I ask because with 10+ people on the stage at a time, it seems like the first debate will only allow for sound-bite answers.

Say each candidate gets to respond for 1 minute per question, that means in an hour, accounting for the moderators time too, that about 5 questions could be asked.

Allowing 2 minutes per answer would mean roughly 6 questions could be asked in 2 hours.

This is why I feel the early cattle-call debates are just a forum for sound bites and snippets of stump speeches.

Your mileage might vary.

[Skya Rhen]

1. This will allow Booker and others in the lower tiers to be on even footing - good thing, yes?

[BannonsLiver]

2. LOL

I think you'll find the booker campaign is well down that particular poster's list of priorities. Rarely a word.

[Skya Rhen]

6. Believe me - I figured that out a few days ago and just smiled to myself...

[LanternWaste]

3. Wouldn't a sincere curiosity compel you to... you know, find out

Wouldn't a sincere curiosity compel you to... you know, at least attempt to find out on your own, and only then editorialize on how horrible it is?

Or was the question merely the necessary excuse to editorialize on how horrible it is?

Never-mind... I'll take the safe guess. Your mileage may vary.

[brooklynite]

4. 2 hours. 9-11 PM

[brooklynite]

5. FWIW, unlikely that all candidates will respond to all questions.

[comradebillyboy]

7. The debates will be pretty un-watchable.

[uawchild]

8. expectations are high

I think the real debate action will start around debate #4, the field needs to narrow a lot.

More than 5-6 people on the stage at a time makes things too unfocused, in my opinion.

Only a major screw-up, not policy nuance, will have an impact in debates #1 and #2.