Why all the GOP debates??? "free media coverage" they are going cheap with free TV

[underpants]

Analysis shows GOP race is cheapest in a decade
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/12/gop-primary-campaign-spending-/1?csp=34news

The top nine major GOP candidates so far have spent a combined $53 million, compared with $132 million spent four years ago. In the 2004 Democratic primary eventually won by Sen. John Kerry, those candidates spent $58 million in the first three quarters of 2003. And 10 GOP candidates spent $68 million through Sept. 30, 1999, Bloomberg reports.

One key factor for the relative stinginess of the 2012 GOP primary season: Candidates are forgoing expensive TV ads. Mitt Romney, for example, is just starting to crank up his advertising in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The upshot, Bloomberg says, is that the 11 nationally televised debates so far have given candidates with deep pockets (such Romney) and those with more modest fundraising (like Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain) a bigger shot at free media coverage.

[mrdmk]

1. The Republicans are media darlings

Besides, corporations can get away with more crap with the GOP in charge. There is no regulation!!!

[BadgerKid]

2. It's the new waterboarding???

:shrug:

[FSogol]

3. Big Media knows that no one can avoid looking at a car wreck as they pass by. n/t

[msongs]

4. dems could be getting the same freebies if they had a pack of rabid dogs running lol nt

[TBF]

5. They need a lot of practice to go up against Obama -

particularly this group.

[66 dmhlt]

6. Given their level of performances, they're COUNTER-productive for repubicans

[jwirr]

7. Exactly, while we are not having any debates because we have one

candidate. Yes the President is going around and making speeches but the MSM only shows part of the speech. Isn't there some way that we can ask for equal time and set up a discussion group with our candidate?

[Tx4obama]

8. The 'number' of debates is within the normal range.

The Democrats had 26 debates during the 2008 primary campaign.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_democratic_debates

The GOP had 21 debates during the 2008 primary campaign.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_republican_debates


This time around The GOP will have 24 during the 2012 primary campaign
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_republican_debates

[Major Hogwash]

9. The last time I saw this many goofballs on tv this regularly they were on a show called "F Troop"!

The difference is, it was supposed to be a comedy!

:rofl:

[Skittles]

10. I don't know, but I know intelligent people are sick of them already

yes INDEED

[tanyev]

11. That's OK. These debates aren't helping any of them.

Keep talkin', dingbats!