by Pam Johnston
Member since:
February 8, 2007

What's Happening TODAY on Gather! Thursday, November 29, 2007

November 28, 2007 10:05 PM EST
views: 112 | comments: 25

Lots of people are buzzing TODAY about last night’s CNN/YouTube presidential debate. Did you watch? If so, what did you think? Do you feel as though you know the Republican candidates better TODAY than you did yesterday? In my opinion, the debate was entertaining and fun to watch but I didn’t really learn anything new. In fact, I was more intrigued by the wacky questions than the candidate’s answers.

 

But in a presidential debate, isn’t it the answers that matter?

 

See, that’s the problem with televised debates. The format is limiting. There’s just not enough time for candidates to answer the questions fully. Sure, we get memorble sound bites and pithy one-liners, but what’s the value there?

 

TODAY we invite you to break the old, TV mold and be part of something extraordinary. We call it Create Debate. Join us in inviting all the presidential candidates to take part in an ongoing, in-depth, meaningful conversation with America. We would like to thank and applaud Christopher Dodd, Ron Paul, and Dennis Kucinich for accepting this unique and important invitation. We’re still waiting to hear from the others.

 

TODAY we ask you to urge the candidates to talk with us. All you need to do is visit america.gather.com, enter your email address, then invite your friends and family to do the same.

 

Do you really want to elect a leader who’s not willing to listen to you?  

 

america.gather.com

 
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Comments: 25

Tiffany G. Nov 28, 2007, 10:08pm EST
I ranted in an article of mine about A gather support guy that was very rude and basically called me a liar.. you can read about it on my page.. I know your interested.. lol j/k trying to cheer up a bit.. have a nice day!
queen.susan . Nov 28, 2007, 10:10pm EST
Great article.
I agree with what you're saying here.
There needs to be more debate that can
be lengthier and of more content.
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Donald M. Nov 28, 2007, 10:19pm EST
On the TV debates, we really dont get their ideas, they know the questions in advance and their PR people have written the answers for them. We dont have a clue what any of them stand for. I really would like to know.
Jan S. Nov 28, 2007, 10:55pm EST
I'm not really impressed by debates. They're contests of acting. I'd rather have a spontaneous question and answer session with questions asked by voters/taxpayers.
Nanci B Nov 28, 2007, 11:04pm EST
I think the idea of a debate on Gather is absurd. i doubt there would be a single, sincere and valid answer from any of them. Everything would come from their staff.
Carol Lloyd Nov 28, 2007, 11:11pm EST
nanci you're a cynic Right now for me any information is good as I watch all the debates. I would like to hear more about the actual format. As the one we are using here is lacking when it comes to this type of debate
Carol Lloyd Nov 28, 2007, 11:12pm EST
If you dont get more than those 3 you have problems.
Nanci B Nov 28, 2007, 11:14pm EST
Carol, the last I heard, they were talking about having questions submitted and the ONE question a week would be submitted to the candidates and then they would answer at their leisure. So who exactly do you think would answer? I am all for debate but to me debate means being asked tough questions and responding on the spot without anyone their to feed you info. Kind of like what Russert did to Clinton. We need more of that and we need moderators who will not let the candidates off the hook. That's why I think republicans should moderate Democratic debates and vice versa. Then the mods wouldn't lay down and let the candidates walk all over them.

But you are right - I am a cynic. I used to trust people but life got in my way.
Nancy S. Nov 29, 2007, 12:55am EST
I think we should throw them all out and start over. Politicians remind me of the money changers that Jesus dumped over in front of the temple.
Susan *. Nov 29, 2007, 8:19am EST
I agree with Spartan....can they not find some decent questions to ask? It seems to me that too many debates are allowed to ask the "easy" questions with no real substance....for me, I want answers and have already joined Create Debate!
denise e Nov 29, 2007, 8:34am EST
the debates seem to be more of a joke... which candidate got the questions they wanted in. alot of times they avoid the question anyway and answer what they want. we need to know the truth and they are all just playing the game to get the votes
Cindy La Ferle Nov 29, 2007, 9:21am EST
I agree with Jan -- political debates seem as staged and choreographed as Broadway musicals. They don't help build trust in any of our politicians, at least in my view. And like Denise said, they play a lot of dodge ball. I don't think the American public is as easily fooled these days -- and that's a good thing.
J R B. Nov 29, 2007, 9:46am EST
I think it would be a good idea to have them on Gather. One at a time, with different questions.
jessie voigts Nov 29, 2007, 11:42am EST
i read the article abt the college student who tried to submit a question, and the one they picked was whether hilary preferred diamonds or pearls. cripes.
Dave H. Nov 29, 2007, 12:37pm EST
The televised debates are a complete farse because of the following:

1. A true debate allows ALL to answer the questions posed.

2. A true debate gives ALL equal time to speak.

3. A true debate does not edit out questions.

The bias of the networks is easilly discerned by looking at which candidates were asked more questions. It was easy to see that Juliani, McCain, and Romney had far more speaking time than Ron Paul or the other candidates. They even had the gall to let a question be asked to Ron Paul in which the person asking the question came right out and told Ron Paul he would not win the Republican nomination! Obviously CNN's higher ups have control over who get's preferred attention in the debates.
micky d. Nov 29, 2007, 1:02pm EST
If i were a candidate on that stage last night and had to stand there and listen to some jerk, playing his guitar and singing some childish babble about these men.I would have turned to Mr. Cooper and said this is insulting to the office of the presidency and i am leaving. Another CNN- Clinton- news- Network, sham. The one thing it did show was in a football metaphor is that : Republican debates and debaters are the 11&0- N.E. Patroits and THE Democrat debates and debaters are the-0 and 11- Miami Dolphins.------- Clinton staffers asked questions, gay military guy worked for Hillary campaign. What a disgrace!! When will the gutless democrats go on fox- never they are chicKen S--T!!!!
Bruce B. Nov 29, 2007, 1:38pm EST
Many of us say we would like to hear more about the candidates and their positions. How many of us take the time and energy to read this information from the candidate's websites? I realize that on the campaign websites they aren't answering spontanesously but they have a chance to elaborate on their answers and it is out in public where they can't deny they have said it. I think the laziness of the average American is what drives TV debates that are really to entertain people and raise money for the TV stations.
Janet Somewhere Up On The Mount Nov 30, 2007, 8:25am EST
Thanks Pam.
TK Rosevear Nov 30, 2007, 3:31pm EST
If I thought they'd give an honest (silly me), real and unscripted answer to a real question concerning the direction the US is headed, I'd participate...
only in my dreams - I'm afraid!
I'm definitely for starting all over with a whole new batch!
tammy b. Nov 30, 2007, 3:35pm EST
should be interesting
Fran S. Nov 30, 2007, 7:35pm EST
interesting post, interesting comments, interesting situation!!
Beverly T. Dec 1, 2007, 6:36am EST
I'm curious how this will work.

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M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Dec 2, 2007, 10:49am EST
Is there any way the debates can be less slanted??? I get very annoyed at moderators who slant questions according to their own leanings. Not very fair to the candidates nor we voters.

Blessings,
Mary Mc
Ron (in complete sheeple overload) W. Dec 8, 2007, 9:45am EST
On a mission, can't talk now, Trying to give fifty points (at least) to all my connections for Christmas, or whatever:

Ten unsolicited points from the world's worst connection. Merry whatever you celebrate!
Leah Christensen Dec 11, 2007, 1:47pm EST
These daily information articles are great!

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