Two Iowas - When Debates Are Not Debates
Two hours, two debates, two disappointments: The Des Moines Register Debates from Iowa will push pundits to find a lead for their new stories and blogs. The format/moderator, which led yesterday's GOP no-news debate won't be enough today. The format didn't fundamentally change and results were similar -- muted repetitions of known candidate positions; so what's the news? The format of linear "interchange" again throttled at least some of the characteristics we'd like in debate, simply stated: DEBATE. [In fairness, the moderator had some flashes of personality today]
Candidates are often advised in debates to recognize that many viewers are first-timers who will hear their stance. Certainly that's good advice since even in the three main-stage presidential debates, after months of coverage, large numbers of "yet to be informed" are reached.
This advice, however, seems a misread of what was needed with the Iowa Register debates. They were more repetitions of candidate stump speeches than fresh information; and that is just not enough for these debates.
