Absent Candidates, are Debates Debates?
September 21 witness what may be the new generation of debates in the electronic age. Democratic candidate Chet Culver (Secretary of State) and Republican Jim Nussle (Congressman) had a live debate on television. AP in Des Moines, IA reported
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle and Democratic rival Chet Culver touted their commitment to health care Thursday night but disagreed on the cigarette tax and stem cell research.
Both candidates appeared live on an Iowa Public Television program --Culver from the network's studios, Nussle via satellite from Washington, where he is in Congress.
The candidates spoke independently, not directly engaging each other as AP recounted
: IA-Gov, Jim Nussell, Chet Culver, joint appearances, formats
Nussle and Culver spoke during separate segments of the program, which was broadcast live around the state. The broadcast was backed by AARP, the nation's largest group representing seniors.
AARP represents 375,000 people in the state, and seniors vote in far higher percentages than any other age group and will play a key role in a gubernatorial election seen as virtually tied.
But there is no reason that candidates could not engage directly without being in the same studio, same state, or same time zones. Typical candidate's excuse citing scheduling problems could be exposed. The panel that questions candidates also "need not be present."
Would this be a political debate as we traditionally think of them? Is something unique produced when candidates occupy the same space and time? Would electronic encounters provide another layer of protection to candidates and their handlers?
