Nation's universities should host the Presidential debates.

[einniv]

Although a minor issue in the scheme of things this year, I found it refreshing that Dennis Kucinich includes "Open Debate" as one of the issues he addresses on his campaign site. http://www.kucinich.us/issues/

About Presidential Debates he says:

I believe in the power of open debates to restore higher values of democracy and voter education to the American political process. By establishing a Citizen's Debate Commission to replace the CPD [Commission on Presidential Debates, DNC+RNC] , the American public can once again see presidential debates that are rigorous, fair, and inclusive of important issues and all popular candidates. There is an increasing demand for voices that challenge the bipartisan consensus on many critical issues in America, and as President, I will be one of those voices. It is time for open debates that will serve the American people first.


I was thinking about it a little bit and I wondered what people thought of the idea to let US universities host the debates. With faculty and student panels to ask the questions.

I would think universities would jump at the chance to do so. And would open the process to more parties and more positions. Real issues would be addressed and would help assure that our current leadership is up-to-date with current knowledge.

I'm not saying it would be easy to make happen (and surely not going to get George to show up at school!! unless its to read goat books). But as an idea for the future what do you think?

[U of M Dem 07]

1. Great idea!

I think that is a great idea; and maybe a good way to get younger voters more involved? I would love to see a presidential debate at the University of Michigan!

[newyawker99]

5. Hi U of M Dem 07!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[DaisyUCSB]

2. They already are

One is at the University of Miami, another at Arizona State, and another at one at Washington University in St Louis

[einniv]

3. Oh ok cool.

So no pundit panels?

[Zorba607]

4. wake forest

hosted a 2000 debate. bit of a ridiculous debacle.

[NashVegas]

6. I'm ABM - Anyone But MSNBC

i just got around to watching the Sunday debate, last night.

Why do the MSNBC folks go so overboard with the sets as to dwarf the candidates?

The first debate I (think) I saw on that channel had the blue glittery curtains that were painful to the eyes and made some of the candidates disappear into the background (blue suits).

In Sunday's debate, the lighting was so harsh that only Al Sharpton didn't turn into a pale reflection at any time. Edwards' microphone EQ was so messed up that at times his voice had that demonic quality you get from playing a 45 rpm record at 33 1/3 (Not *that* slowly, but you get the idea).

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. Bob Jones University, Liberty University, and Regent University

would probably jump at the chance to host the debates. ;)

[DeepModem Mom]

8. It's not a "minor issue" at all - - the debates were inquisitions,

by and large, and an opportunity for full-of-themselves "journalists" to play a game of "gotcha" with our candidates. The DNC, and the candidates' campaigns, should seriously study the debate issue, and come up with a fairer alternative, that would also better serve the interests of serious voters.