If Sanders objected to a sit-down debate format, he shot himself in the foot.

[thesquanderer]

We have been left with two candidates, neither of whom are among our best debaters. But while the Sanders camp is reported to having objected to a proposed sit-down format for the next debate, I think they should have jumped at it.

In a more intimate "sit around the table" format, Sanders would probably fall more into his less off-putting conversational mode, as he presents himself when doing one-on-one interviews or appearing on shows like The View. Then he comes across on TV as a pretty likable guy. But when he stands at a podium addressing an auditorium as he has been doing at the debates so far, he goes to his "rally" mode where he is yelling to a big crowd. That doesn't work so well on the more intimate medium of TV. He doesn't seem to have realized that debate podium was not a point from which to reach the folks in the back row, but rather the folks in their living rooms.

I think a sit-down debate format would have given him a much better opportunity to connect with people on a more personal level than he has been able to do at debates so far. He was apparently afraid a sit-down would favor Biden, but I think it would have benefitted Sanders more.

[hlthe2b]

1. Yes. Seating around a table in inherently "civilizing" and hard to yell.

[IronLionZion]

2. They can have a sit down table discussion with Tulsi

[NYMinute]

3. Sanders needs the debates .. which makes his choice puzzling

Biden doesn't need a debate at all.

I think that Sanders' strategy was to hope for Biden making a major gaffe and shoot himself in the foot. That is why Sanders supporters were pushing for more and more debates.

I think everyone knows Bernie's positions now which he has been hammering for 4 years straight. I personally do not want any more debates. Period.

[thesquanderer]

7. It's always the underdog who has more to gain in a debate, and the frontrunner who has more to lose.

[LiberalFighter]

4. I totally agree. It would make him more appealing.

His actions behind a podium is more that of a bully.

[SharonClark]

5. I hadn't thought of it that way - good post.

[NurseJackie]

6. Does Bernie have sciatic nerve pain? Something that prevents him from sitting?

You know, he actually looks WORSE when he's standing up. The stoop and hunched shoulders as he leans on the lectern/podium ... it's not a good look for him.

According to Google, Bernie Sanders is 6 feet tall. According to Google, Joe Biden is also 6 feet tall.

Interesting, no?