Debate Shmebate

There was a presidential debate last night.  Not that the debate was presidential, but it was a debate between two candidates for president. I think debates are useless.  I came to that conclusion after the vice-presidential debate.  Not that the debate was vice-presidential, but… ohnevermind.

First of all, you can’t trust what a candidate says while campaigning.  Sure, sometimes he will be telling the truth, but the promises may be tailored to a specific group of voters and not represent in general what the candidate believes or will do.

And secondly, how is a debate supposed to represent anything that will be done in office?  It’s not like a president ever has to debate someone.  That’s not in the job description of vice-president either.  I know, you’re supposed to be able to compare the candidates because of the debate.  But it would be more realistic, more representative of a president, if they were to hold press conferences.  Competing press conferences maybe.  Presidents have to deal with that, but they don’t ever have anyone next to them disagreeing with them and saying the bad things they have done or plan to do.

What you hear during a debate is pretty similar to the political ads that run during the 100 other days of campaigning.  So don’t look to the debates or campaigns if you are trying to decide who gets your vote – look at the candidate’s track record.  Look at the history of votes, decisions, accomplishments, scandals, etc.  That will tell you how he will be as a president.

They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.

Psalm 12:2

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This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 7:34 am and has been carefully placed in the Current Events category.

3 Responses to “Debate Shmebate”

  1. Burrill Says:

    I would also like to stress that you shouldn’t be swayed by who comes across better on tv or in front of people. People will say things like “Obama seemed more real,” and it drives me crazy because being appealing on tv or in front of a crowd has so little to do with anything. Really, most people would come across as awkward or uncomfortable in those situations, and many of those people are probably more “real” than the two presidential candidates. (Of course, no one really defines what “real” is, so it’s hard to be sure.)

    Basically, I think these debates should be available only in the form of transcripts; that way, it wouldn’t matter how the candidates came across.

  2. Charity Says:

    I hate the debates. All they’re trying to do is sell themselves. I cringe every time they start going after each other. I’d rather flip to “The Office” and have a few laughs.

  3. Charity Says:

    I take it back – Clayton and I saw the best debate ever last night: Saturday Night Live was on last night (Thursday nite live??) after the Office and Clayton and I flipped there from the Red Wings game and he and I thought it was so hilarious. What a good spoof! I can watch that kind of debate anytime.

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