Tag: primary debate
Low Level Sparring on NC Primary Debate
The New York Times political blog, The Caucus, Sunday morning nudged the topic of an Obama/Clinton North Carolina Debate .
Previously the Obama campaign accepted an invitation for a CBS debate in NC with the Clinton campaign remaining silent. Spokespersons for the campaigns commented on the potential debate but did not advance the topic.
In Friday conference calls Phil Singer, according the NYT, blamed "scheduling conflict" and promising an answer in "a couple of weeks." Obama spokesperson Bill Burton
. . . declined to speculate on why Mrs. Clinton had not agreed to the North Carolina debate, saying only, "Maybe she likes the Jersey Shore more than the Outer Banks."
Singer's comment sounds like a dodge, and Burton's partisan speculation despite his statement to contrary. The campaigns seem occupied with larger issues than nailing down another debate.
Who can predict which campaign will want another debate in early May. If either campaign decides they need a debate, likely the other will be forced to join in. Obama is already on record and Clinton can be reminded of her political advertising in Wisconsin.
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: primary debate, north carolina, CBS
Debating Science in Philly? - Date Set for April 18
Invitations are extended, venue set, and pressure is being applied for another presidential debate leading into the April 22nd Pennsylvania primary election .
The proposed debate, to be held at The Franklin Institute in downtown Philadelphia on April 18th would focus on science policy issues: economy and technology, climate change, health policy, and education.
Shawn Lawrence Otto, CEO of "Science Debate 2008" argues in a March 10 press release that:
Pennsylvania is a model state for transforming from a rust belt economy into a vibrant science & technology economy competing on a global scale. These are the big issues facing our economy nationally, and there is no better place for the candidates to debate them. We've had dozens of generic debates, we don't need another.
Our signers represent 125 million Americans who are interested in these issues and how we can do nationally what Pennsylvania is doing as a state.
The debate promoters claim to be in discussion with the Obama and Clinton about the debate, but their press releases do not indicate interest on the parts of the campaigns.
Below fold: Pressuring the Candidates and What to Expect in a Science Debate
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: primary debate, science, sciencedebate2008, nitch debates
MLK Democratic Debate Tonight in SC
8 pm EST, on CNN, Wolf Blitzer Moderates.
The top three Democratic presidential candidates face off in a Monday night debate in South Carolina. Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina share the stage at Myrtle Beach's Palace Theatre in a showdown as the nation honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday.
The debate, put together by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, comes five days before the Democratic primary in South Carolina.
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: Primary Debate, MLK, Democratic debate, CNN
North Carolina GOP holds First Gubernatorial Primary Debate
[editor's note, by Allan Louden] Guest Commentary: Dr. Linda Petrou, Wake Forest University
The first NC gubernatorial debate of the 2008 election season was held yesterday, October 20, 2007, at High Point University, High Point, NC, The three major Republican candidates were in attendance; Bill Graham, Bob Orr and Fred Smith. Or as one person referred to them: pretty boy, the nerd and the jock. John Hood of the John Lock Foundation was the moderator. The three candidates agree on most of the issues (surprise) with minor disagreement on the subject of affirmative action. Smith saying it is not needed we should have a level playing field; Graham saying it was needed; and Orr splitting the difference, there should be no quotas for any group (including legacies).
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: primary debate, GOP, Governor, North Carolina, Bill Graham, Bob Orr, Fred Smith
Thompson stumbles out of the block; Romney and Giuliani sharpen their attacks
[editor's note, by Ross Smith] The author is Kelly McDonald, Assistant Professor and Director of Forensics at Arizona State University.
Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson appeared in his first primary debate with fellow Republican contenders at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan's CNBC debate. Under the banner title, "The Republicans, The Economy and You" the financial network featured Chris Mathews and Maria Bartiromo asking questions of the nine candidates. There were no introductory or concluding statements by candidates and CNBC cut away for several commercial breaks during the scheduled two hour session. The format was freewheeling - much like prior debates - no particular order of the questions or time limits on answers.
While Thompson was given particular attention by the moderators - given the first question, acknowledging his participation in this debate, and prompted on a particular question on his "specifics" for social security reform - he failed to really capture the stage, appearing almost hesitant at times, agreeing in large measure with comments by his stage rivals and failing to articulate specifics of his proposals, tending to favor glossy generalities.
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: Thompson, GOP, Primary Debate, Republicans, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney
"All American Presidential Forum" Served Many Political Masters
Billed as a "Covenant with Black America," six GOP Presidential contenders debated last night at Morgan State University in Baltimore. I have a duel purpose in commenting on the Forum: (1) the role of sponsor/topic focused debates and (2) comment on the actual event.
The "Black issues" forum raises the issue of specialty debates in the primary process. There are predicted to be nearly thirty or so primary presidential political debates, forums, hookups, etc., many hosted by "special interest groups." Some might dismiss the Covenant Forum as another boutique debate, and from one perspective it is, ostensibly limiting topical content and directing a laser beam on the party's relationship with minority voters.
It also can be seen as more than the likes of the Values Voter debate in Fort Lauderdale or the Democrat AARP Health Care debate in Davenport Iowa last week. Arguably it was a "network hosted" (most would give PBS that status) and addresses minorities who, collectively, will not long be a minority. Even more pointedly the "race issue" is party to all Americans.
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: All American Forum, forum, GOP, Huckabee, Tavis Smiley, primary debate, PBS
MSNBC Does a "Delayed" Classy Job with NH Debate
One can justifiably question the exclusivity of cable network coverage of presidential primary debates as more about being played as promotional devices for MSNBC (and others) than bringing candidates and voters together. MSNBC did a classy job of bringing the candidates (and Fox before) to the central issues and giving insight into the candidates (and their views). CNN failed miserably the same challenge in earlier programs, having a foreground/background slippage with candidates in service to the networks.
If access to the debate is important MSNBC did a great job with their web efforts. This was not clear from the outset however. Spending the pre-debate period promising streaming video, those who went to their site found a commercial and a blank screen indicating the streaming video was unavailable. The problem continued for perhaps an hour of the program. Leave it to Comedy Central to notice. They posted the "bait and switch" soon after the debate began.
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: Democrat, Primary debate, MSNBC, media, on-line vidoe
CNN Post Debate Coverage
Following the Democratic primary debate from St. Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH Larry King led the parade of CNN program hosts "analyzing" the debate. There were some strong moments in their coverage, but . . . .
The hermetically sealed system of debate coverage witnessed in the MSNBC debate last month happened with CNN coverage as well. Throughout the two hours of post debate coverage the network's talent (show hosts) provided the analysis from "from our own crack team of political observers, the best political team on television." Naturally one understands self promotion, but elevating their coverage uniquely insightful creates a closed interpretive system.
Immediately after the debate Larry King interviewed several candidates and asked each if Wolf Blitzer did a good job as moderator. Each was "forced" to say that they like the format and the Wolfe had a hard job. Then King talked with Blitzer, as part of his panel of experts, and told him on several occasions that the all the candidates reported he did a "great job." The circle was complete, self congratulation with CNN as the primary actor in this passion play.
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: Democrat debate, primary debate, media coverage, New Hampshire, Wolf Blitzer
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" - MSNBC's Coverage
For those interested in the opening debate salvos by the Democrats and Republicans, MSNBC was home base. They dedicated an entire day of air time for each debate, featuring their on-air "talent" in the roles of reporters, newsmakers, questioners, and post-debate interviewers and analysts. Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, Joe Scarsborough, Tucker Carlson, and a score of others previewed, conducted, and critiqued both debates.
I listened to coverage much of the day, watched the debate, and am now following the spin on line at msnbc.com and via television commentary running in background. There is much to commend in MSNBC's coverage. The debate was lively, with humor, and candidates, even with short answers were able to promote their credentials, confront popular perceptions, and even on occasion offer a policy statement. Candidates and their campaigns were given substantial voice, and on occasion perspective outside of networks news/programming circle were allowed.
Judge and Jury below the fold . . .
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: debate, debaters, Republican, primary debate, media coverage
Muted Media - Framing the GOP Primary Debate
I have been struck by the scarce pre-debate media coverage for the GOP candidate debate tonight in Simi Valley, California. Not even the inclination to hype the "all-important" political event of the moment has produced more than passing interest from major news organizations. Compared to the Democratic Debate held last week in South Carolina the response seems muted. (As of Thursday morning, CNN.com only added a link on their lead web page by noon, the AP story - maybe they'd have to mention MSNBC.) The reasons for this differential appear obvious enough.
The GOP field is framed as inheriting the sagging mantel of a failed Presidency. As in sports, loser's bracket are not nearly as interesting as the championship contenders. The domestic press discusses three contenders--John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney--jockeying for the dubious honor of "going-down-with-the-ship."
The media coverage has also been trumped by the more symbolic Iraq/Veto battle with Congress.
My purpose is to reflect on the pre-debate coverage. The argument is simple; if you want a primer on what is at stake in the debate, don't turn to the domestic press. Newspaper stories, and 24/7 cable, present a predictable continuation of a larger narrative that the election is about George W. vs. a yet to be crowned Democratic successor. Since that contest has a known outcome (e.g. most stories religiously remind readers of Bush's dismal polls), the California debate is little more than a sideshow. Below, the frame of pre-debate coverage is considered.
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: GOP, primary debate, debate, debates, media framing, 2008 election
Media Framing - What is the SC Debate's Meaning?
The national media needs a container to describe the debate to be held tonight at traditionally African-American campus USC-Orangeburg. For many in the media the shorthand is the state of race relations in America. Candidates, especially poll leaders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are advised on how to capture the African-American vote, characterized as half of potential SC primary Democratic voters. Beth Fouhy's AP lead speculates on Hillary's chameleon like dialects.
The New York senator added a Southern lilt to her voice last week when addressing a civil rights group headed by the Rev. Al Sharpton. On Monday, dealing with a microphone glitch at a fundraiser for young donors, she quoted former slave and underground railroad leader Harriet Tubman.
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: South Carolina Debate, Race, Primary debate, Hillary Clinton, Media Framing
