2016 Postmortem

Attorney in Texas

(3,373 posts)

75. US election campaigns are WAY, WAY, WAY longer then the campaigns in every other democracy on the

Sat Sep 12, 2015, 03:09 PM

Sep 2015

planet.

Shortening the campaign is not a bad thing. It is not an "antidemocratic" thing. The idea of restricting the number of debates and controlling the format of those debates is not a new idea or an idea that has found support in only one party. Both parties limit the number of debates and set parameters for those debates, and that has been true for many election cycles now.

Both the Republicans and the Democrats had an unprecedented number of debates in 2008 for Democrats and 2012 for Republicans. The common perception was that (1) debates before the voters were paying attention were not very helpful, (2) lots of debates led to voter fatigue and burnout with the candidates, and (3) too many of the debates actually helped the opposing party gather soundbites for use in the general election.

The restricted number of 2015-2016 debates (both by the parties) was a reaction to these concerns. I might have preferred more debates, but there is nothing "evil" or a "conspiracy" about the debate schedule.

If there are not enough debates for your taste (or my taste), that is probably because you and I are "high information" voters. The amount of information and debates that you or I would prefer is WAY too much information for the average voter. The debate schedule to set to accommodate the average voter, which is naturally frustrating to you and me.

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Why would anyone run as a Democrat if they feel this way? [View all] Uncle Joe Sep 2015 OP

The DNC threatens punishment for candidates who wish to debate as much as possible... cherokeeprogressive Sep 2015 #1

That's about as close as you can come to violating the First Amendment without violating it. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #3

Only the government can violate the First Amendment emulatorloo Sep 2015 #76

Is Congresswoman Schultz and the Democratic Party part of the government? Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #78

No emulatorloo Sep 2015 #81

Congresswoman Schultz and the Democratic Party are intricately tied to the government Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #82

No, DNC and RNC are political organization, not government agencies. emulatorloo Sep 2015 #86

They are political organizations but their overwhelming ties to every level of government Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #88

No it's really not. If you think it does, you don't understand the first amendment mythology Sep 2015 #97

1. You didn't understand my sentence. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #98

How "good" a Democrat is DWS, and WHY is she the chair of the DNC? bvar22 Sep 2015 #2

Thanks for the historical addition, bvar. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #5

Debbie Wasserman Schultz needs to change her policy on the debates. JDPriestly Sep 2015 #18

Agree! "DWS needs to step down!" n/t RKP5637 Sep 2015 #32

Yet some still deny that our party has been hijacked by conservatives. Scuba Sep 2015 #68

With Dems like Kim Davis the party label doesn't seem to mean much. L0oniX Sep 2015 #89

If Hillary continues her decline, there WILL be more debates. NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #4

I thought about making an OP just to that point. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #7

It's obvious really. As soon as the advantage becomes a disadvantage, NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #10

After the latest polling, that will be in about a month. eom Fawke Em Sep 2015 #43

Or sooner. eom NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #44

Additional debates might give unfair advantage to voters over contributors RufusTFirefly Sep 2015 #6

You nailed it, RufusTFirefly. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #9

Thanks, Uncle Joe! RufusTFirefly Sep 2015 #31

Succinct, like a punch in the nose Fairgo Sep 2015 #48

^^^this^^^ L0oniX Sep 2015 #91

BOOM! merrily Sep 2015 #92

They sell us the president the same way they sell us our clothes and our cars. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2015 #94

Yes, DWSchultz is apparently a huge supporter of SCOTUS Citizens United stuffmatters Sep 2015 #95

They will not be able to decide on the criteria to use for participation until NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #8

Schultz also scheduled the debates for when they would most likely not be viewed. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #11

Of course, NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #13

Much of the corporate media is in collusion with obfuscating the issues as well, ie: Wolf Blitzer's Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #15

Yes, but to his credit Bernie got his positions on the issues out regardless. eom NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #17

To no avail. We have YouTube. JDPriestly Sep 2015 #21

I agree, JDPriestly, the Internet is a most valuable First Amendment enhancer, but Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #29

Download them to a thumb drive and play them on a laptop, surface or tablet. Fawke Em Sep 2015 #45

The December 19 debate is also going up against the Jets-Cowboys game frylock Sep 2015 #33

I'm sure that was just a cosmic coincidence.... Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #36

What do you want to bet that Trump will be at the game in Jerry Jones' suite? frylock Sep 2015 #37

I wouldn't take a bet against that, frylock. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #39

There will be more debates !!! left-of-center2012 Sep 2015 #12

How Democratic debates many were held in 2000? Historic NY Sep 2015 #14

There were two democratic primary candidates in 2000 and they held nine debates. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #35

The only thing more debates will accomplish Gman Sep 2015 #16

What has "money" got to do with it? NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #19

The Republican dominated Supreme Court did say that money was speech and elevated Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #23

She has taken that message to her own political detriment. NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #26

It's the stuff they didn't talk about in class. Gman Sep 2015 #25

LOL... NorthCarolina Sep 2015 #27

Yes but it isn't the candidates that Schultz is afraid of, it's their competing ideas and arguments Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #20

And we can't have that. frylock Sep 2015 #34

Thanks For The Tread, Uncle Joe !!! WillyT Sep 2015 #22

Thank you, WillyT. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #24

If the only penalty is not getting in any of the DNC debates they should agree to boycott the Dustlawyer Sep 2015 #28

I agree in principle, but I see two problems with that approach. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #30

That would give her Marty McGraw Sep 2015 #93

DWS the DINO has got to go. Arugula Latte Sep 2015 #38

I can think of a few other words for those initials tomm2thumbs Sep 2015 #40

The DNC is full of political hacks blackspade Sep 2015 #41

And Schultz is doing nothing but helping the Republican Party on multiple levels, especially Trump Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #42

Yeah, I've seen that before... blackspade Sep 2015 #49

That's the way I feel, blackspade, we have to do whatever we can to offset Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #50

AFAIC The DNC has not been RoccoR5955 Sep 2015 #46

The Third Way minions have penetrated and lodged itself in all aspects Phlem Sep 2015 #47

Why would somebody run for the Democratic nomination when they are not even a Democrat? MohRokTah Sep 2015 #51

Because first and foremost, they're an American, having said that if their ideas, message and Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #52

See my sig. eom MohRokTah Sep 2015 #53

So if Bernie wins the Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #54

I reserve that right since there would be no Democrat on the ballot. eom MohRokTah Sep 2015 #55

That answers that question, thanks for your candor, MohRokTah. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #56

A Democrat is a member of the party. eom MohRokTah Sep 2015 #57

So it literally makes no difference what that Democrat believes so long as they're a member Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #58

Willingness to join and be loyal to the party holds much weight. MohRokTah Sep 2015 #59

What does "loyal to the party" mean? Can an organization only be changed for the better Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #60

For me, yes to your first question and no to your second. eom MohRokTah Sep 2015 #61

An yet Bernie's track record along with testimony from many major Democratic Leaders Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #62

Stalinist bilge. sibelian Sep 2015 #77

This message was self-deleted by its author cui bono Sep 2015 #63

So what policies that Bernie fights for do you disagree with? cui bono Sep 2015 #64

"...when will the Democratic Party live up to its highest ideals?" slipslidingaway Sep 2015 #65

And in this regard and so many others, Bernie Sanders is greatly helping the Democratic Party Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #66

From my view the younger generation will either vote FOR a candidate or not at all ... slipslidingaway Sep 2015 #67

Yet some still deny that our party has been hijacked by conservatives. Scuba Sep 2015 #69

The "certain threshold� rosesaylavee Sep 2015 #70

rosesaylavee, it's good to see you here. Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #72

Why would anyone run as a Democrat if they feel this way? wyldwolf Sep 2015 #71

Probably because he feels THIS way: bvar22 Sep 2015 #73

That second Bill of Rights, as well as the first, Dark n Stormy Knight Sep 2015 #84

Either that, bvar22 Sep 2015 #85

Actions and track record matter more than words Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #74

US election campaigns are WAY, WAY, WAY longer then the campaigns in every other democracy on the Attorney in Texas Sep 2015 #75

Sure it is, this isn't just a question of restricting the debates to only six, although that's Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #80

No one is keeping the voters in the dark. The debates are scheduled when they are paying attention Attorney in Texas Sep 2015 #83

3 of the first four debates are scheduled for the weekend not the week, when they're most likely Uncle Joe Sep 2015 #87

DINOs. That's what these neodems are. nt valerief Sep 2015 #79

When it suits Hillary, the debate schedule will change. Hollingsworth Sep 2015 #90

DWS has to go. Beowulf42 Sep 2015 #96