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One Opinion: Watching The Debates — or not
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Disclaimer:
Elaine Kolodziej is responsible for this content, which is not edited by the Wilson County News or wilsoncountynews.com. |
October 1, 2012 | 570 views | 9 comments
The headlines are all about “The Debates.”
President Barack Obama’s camp claims that presidential contender Mitt Romney is “more prepared,” because he recently campaigned in the primaries. Some would say that Obama has never stopped campaigning -- and that’s all the debates are -- just an extension of the campaign.
The hype is breathtaking.
Each side gets to tell its story in staged sound bites. Neither is required to really answer questions but, instead, wander off onto their own prepared talking points. Promoters would like to think that each debate could produce a “make or break” moment, but that’s not likely.
There could be interesting moments -- moments such as when President Jimmy Carter said that he had asked his young daughter, Amy, what was the most important issue facing the world, and she told him “nuclear war,” or when President Ronald Reagan, who was often derided about his age, said that he would not hold age against his younger opponent.
These moments that produce memorable sound bites don’t change history. They are just fun. And if voters will change their mind about who to vote for because of innuendoes, a momentary slip of the tongue, or appearances, then this country is in more trouble than we care to admit.
The stakes in this election are likely higher than ever before, as Iran threatens its neighbors and the West with nuclear destruction, the economy still huddles dangerously close to another recession, and the issue of health care is anything but settled. The issues are clearly black and white, and any intelligent voter should know what they are. This, of course, is not the case. Many don’t even know who the candidates are. They may recognize a name, but know nothing about the issues.
But in this highly visual society, giving speeches and looking good on television become important, just as it has becomes important that a presidential candidate can spell. Everyone should be able to spell “potato,” right?
The first of three debates will be Wednesday, with millions of Americans watching, but I will not be one of them. There’s nothing that Obama could say to make me want to vote for him, and there’s no misstep that Romney could make, at this point, that would make me not vote for him. And I’ve heard enough campaigning, so I don’t need three more campaign “debates." |
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PRAIRIE GROUCH
GRAND PRAIRIE TX
October 2, 2012 1:16pm
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Alvin Charmaine
October 2, 2012 4:25am
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Winston Shaffer
Floresville, TX
October 1, 2012 8:11pm
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Elaine K.
Floresville
October 1, 2012 7:40pm
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Disgusted Taxpayer
La Vernia
October 1, 2012 6:27pm
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Serious Thinker
La Vernia
October 1, 2012 6:18pm
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The Marcelina Muse
Dry Tank, TX
October 1, 2012 1:47pm
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7th Generation La Vernian
La Vernia
October 1, 2012 12:29pm
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The Mwntl
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