Viewers of oft-overlooked VP debate say it matters
Source: Associated Press
Robert Munson has heard the conventional wisdom: Vice presidential debates aren't supposed to matter. But in an election this close, he and millions of others tuned in Thursday to a candidate faceoff that many said may not have changed their vote, but firmed their resolve about just how much is at stake.
Munson, a self-described conservative who drove into the heart of largely liberal Seattle to watch the debate broadcast at a civic hall, came hoping to hear Rep. Paul Ryan champion the values he believes in. But when it began, even hearing stands taken by Vice President Joe Biden that he firmly disagrees with held some value.
"Watching this debate and all the information you glean on this very important election, ... of the two very different approaches of where this country is heading, I think it was very important," said Munson, 69, a retired nonprofit manager and former Army captain.
On a night that offered television viewers two baseball playoff games and an NFL matchup, many voters across the country nonetheless made room Thursday for 90 minutes of pugnacious debate, the only one scheduled between Biden and Ryan. A little more than a week after a presidential debate that lifted the candidacy of Mitt Romney and knocked President Barack Obama's campaign back a step, this debate, which wasn't supposed to matter, took on a heightened importance.
Read more: http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019409638_apusdebateamericawatches1stldwritethru.html
I know the corporate media is generally trying to downplay the impact of Biden's trouncing of Ryan, but the fact of the matter is that 50 million people tuned in.
speedoo
(11,229 posts)Is that the official viewership estimate?
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)zonkers
(5,865 posts)MrsBrady
(4,187 posts)if you include internet viewership, and people who will watching it over time also...
I've heard about all of it by now...but will probably watch it tomorrow when I have time.
adigal
(7,581 posts)My son was at the Yankees game and couldn't watch it, but he told me that the guys he works with all mocked Ryan. They are blue collar workers, so that is good news.
tabasco
(22,974 posts)it would get better ratings.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)that the presidential debate didn't really matter.
southerncrone
(5,506 posts)We seldom get to see much of VP candidates unless they were also Presidential candidates. In the case of Ryan, we didn't get that privilege. We need to see him answer questions on a broad range of pertinent topics. Pre-debate, all we've seen of him is media snippets touting his budget work. Not enough information.
He's only one second away from taking over after a tragic event....YIKES!
AllieO
(18 posts)I mean really, do those insipid pictures of him not reveal an alarmingly low level of critical thinking ability??
southerncrone
(5,506 posts)Classic overcompensation.