i hate the debates

[ProdigalJunkMail]

i think the answers from the candidates would have been the exact same if Sheiffer (SP?) had asked, "What colors are the sprinkles on my ice cream cone?" for every question. It is as if a prepared speech has been created and they each are saying, "I will say what I was planning on saying even though your question has nothing to do with the topic I am going to address."

Blech...theProdigal

[YellowRubberDuckie]

1. 100% agree...

This wasn't a debate. It was just them giving speeches.
Duckie

[Edwardsgroupie]

2. I get almost too nervous to watch.

But I do it anyway. Glad they're over.

[salin]

3. Agreed

but sadly, many people make their minds up on these canned responses... oy...

Reminds me that in 1996 I was given a pass to a Clinton speech (San Jose, Ca.) early in that presidential campaign. Was walking with a friend (we had worked together in DC ten years earlier ... a woman catches up to us - she doesn't have a pass but is hoping to get into the event... as she walks along with us she asks... "So how did he do?" We have no idea what she is asking - as the question was so vague. Thus we don't respond, and she asks again with a little more info: she says how much she likes Clinton, is a big fan... when she heard he was coming to town she had to try to see him... then she says that she really liked what he said in the last campaign (4 yrs earlier) and wanted to know how he had done (as president... over the past four years). My friend and I have both been politically active, aware and followed thenews for years. We were rather taken aback by the question comments ("how could you be a fan - but then not pay attention to anything for four years?") Stuck with me, however. Too many people accept the judgements of others and are too "busy" (or lazy or something) to pay attention for themselves.

Thus I have come to believe that these painfully canned events - really come to have an impact upon a lot of folks -and they vote.

[gyopsy]

4. They don't answer questions

Their goal (when they go in) is to merely try to find the best time to pitch the lines they have memorized in advance.