Brothers and sisters...Ol'brother Ray's television has been buzzing concerning the presidential debates. It seems that I must take it in to be fixed...'cuz everytime I turn it on there is the same information concerning the same ol'thing. No matter how many times I turn the channel ( and I have cable), I can not outrun the deluge of information and hype concerning the next debate. In my humble opinion, unlike my eurdite counterpart Prof. Bill "QED"Dickens, enough has been said in terms of which candidate will receive my vote. Now I know this is a "non-partisan board," I wish to ask this simple question: Are the debates helping you in determining your vote for president in November? Luckliy, there was a channel showing some worthwhile television viewing material..."WWE Smackdown Thursday." In the words of Don King..."Only in America!"

-- Anonymous, October 04, 2004

Answers

The debates are about as helpful for me determining who I will vote for than the Good Humor Ice Cream saleman selling a snow cone to an Eskimo in Nome, Alaska. The Presidential Debates are helpful only for political fence stradlers and pundits with an insatiable craving for political information. It is also true that the Presidential & Vice-Presidential Debates do provide a compact way at understanding the fundamental differences by the candidates. That being said, last week's debate was a "victory" for Senator Kerry. He won the "battle of rhetoric". I expect VP Cheney to win in a rout against Senator Edwards later this week. QED

-- Anonymous, October 04, 2004

My problem with the debates is that they do not fit my concept of what a debate should be - although last week's debate came closer than they usually do. At least, this time, there was some degree of almost direct give and take between the two "debaters". More often than not, these so called debates are simply glorifed press conferences with the contenders answering questions put to them by the moderator.

I would like to see MORE direct give and take between the participants or the opportunity for rebuttal, if needed or desired, by the first responder to what the second one has said.

I never tried out for the forensics team in my school (there are now NO forensics teams in my city's schools), but it was good to watch these kids sometimes be assigned a position to defend without prior knowledge - but they could sometimes use notes. I think there could be some merit in allowing a "looser" format for the presidential debates.

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2004

Ooops, I got carried away and forgot to answer the question: Sometimes a debate (not just in presidential races) does help me in making a decision when I'm among the undecided. Such is not the case in this race.

As at least one wag has said, "my mind's made up - don't confuse me with facts" or, as I may add, rhetoric, repetition, and oratory.

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2004