Thoughts on the debates?

[Steve Timko]

Too many bodies on the stage to be substantive. Warren, Booker and Castro stood out the first night. Kamala Harris was the only standout the second night. Well, I guess Marianne Williamson stood out the second night as a punchline. Biden got rocked but stayed on his feet.

I'm a registered Democrat. Still, the Democratic debates seemed more substantive than the 2016 and 2012 Republican debates, which seemed to be more about posturing and rhetoric.

There were technical errors both nights by NBC, but they seemed to do a good job. I'm not sure anyone could have reined in the candidates the second night. Generally the moderators did a good job of guiding the debates and staying out of the way.

They need to trim the field to six.

[PGage]

These early mega debates are not really about substantive exchange on complicated issues - and yes, to preempt cynical wisecrackers, there has been lots of examples of substantive exchange during these things in the past (see for example Obama and HRC on healthcare and Iran War In 2007/2008. Agree with your list of winners, though would probably add Pete, who while he did not shine scored points for being honest about police problems in South Bend. I think both Joe and Bernie hurt themselves badly, and have opened the door for 1.5 and 2nd tier competitors to really challenge them.

I was less pleased with NBC/MSNBC. Chuck Todd has firmly established himself as being just as narcissistic and obnoxious as his idol Tim Russert, while only being half as knowledgeable. A studio audience for these things is counterproductive- get rd of them or put behind soundproof plexiglass and cut mikes after introductions. On night 1 they plated the irritating theme music over the introductory comments of the hosts, which was distracting. NBC clearly wanted the food fight interruptions that they inevitably got, while pretending they didn’t, and using time excuses to cut off and distract from candidate answers that were clearly winding down. I have moderated a ton of student debates, and while not the same, I also know there are ways to enforce time rules and speaking order without belittling the participants. Yes it is a challenge with 10 participants, but it can be done. One example - have stools behind each podium. Tell them only people standing get to speak to current question. Have everyone sit, then pick three to stand before asking question. If someone speaks while seated, they forfeit next chance to stand for a question. Also, cut mikes to everyone not asked to stand.

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[Bob Jersey]

PGage, to Steve Timko, in part, Fri. (6/28):

NBC clearly wanted the food fight interruptions that they inevitably got, while pretending they didn’t, and using time excuses to cut off and distract from candidate answers that were clearly winding down. I have moderated a ton of student debates, and while not the same, I also know there are ways to enforce time rules and speaking order without belittling the participants. Yes it is a challenge with 10 participants, but it can be done. One example - have stools behind each podium. Tell them only people standing get to speak to current question. Have everyone sit, then pick three to stand before asking question. If someone speaks while seated, they forfeit next chance to stand for a question. Also, cut mikes to everyone not asked to stand.

Full-length 'toobs were posted... while the first (link) was manageable at just over 2½ hours, the second (link) wandered past 4... are Biden or Boinie that gassy?

B

[Steve Timko]

Round 2 of Democratic debate is party's most-watched ever


LOS ANGELES (AP) - NBC says round two of the Democratic presidential debate was the party's most-watched ever.

Based on Nielsen figures out Friday, the event including early front-runners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders averaged 18.1 million viewers across NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo.

That topped the previous Democratic debate audience high of 15.5 million for an October 2015 event, which included eventual nominee Hillary Clinton.

Viewership for that debate was previously estimated at 15.8 million.

Neither of this week's debates approached the audience for the first 2016 GOP primary debate, with newcomer Donald Trump driving curiosity. It drew nearly 24 million viewers on Fox News Channel.

The pair of Democratic debates, the first of the 2020 campaign, split a field of 20 contenders into two groups.

A headline-making exchange Thursday involved former Vice President Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris, who sparred over Biden's civil rights record.