For example?

I'm of the opinion that issues don't decide democratic debates, platitudes and doublespeak seem to work much better for the (D) primaries.

Case in point is last nights debate. We slang mud, we mentioned 'change' a million times, but gave no actual solutions. The moderators are just as much to blame, another pointless dog and pony show. Choose whichever cow you want, the milk tastes just as bad from one as the other

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This wasn’t a debate amongst candidate; it was a debate between Barak Obama and the commentators. Talk about Fox News in disguise as two fair debate commentators.

In all fairness that's because the remaining candidates have pretty much the same platform.
How can issues decide the race when both candidates have the same issues for the most part.
The main difference (and I'd argue it's significant) is the attitude and stylistic traits of the candidates. There are slight differences in the specifics of plans but not enough to fuel any debate that would keep people's attention for more than a few minutes.

That and the press love the nonissues. Soundbites = Good Journalism these days. I don't see how it would be different if the parties were in opposite places today. The names of the candidates and the specific scandals and gaffs would be the difference (and it would all be pinned on the "liberal bias" of the media rather than on crappy journalism).

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"It's never over... BOY!"
The Tall Man, Phantasm III

Yes their paltforms are nearly identical, but isn't it these slight difference that should be the deciding factor on which would make a better candidate, instead of which one can posture themselves better on television. I know this wouldn't make for an 'action packed' debate, but if we aren't having debates to see differences on the issues, then why?

Maybe it isn't just crappy journalism. Maybe its all part of the ploy to drag the voters attn way from the key issues and instead focusing on externalities. It's all part of our stupidification as Americans. And to say this would be exactly the same if it were the other party is speculation...not that I disagree, but they aren't in this situation nor were they relevant to this thread hence why I don't reference them.

Point in short. Presidential debates should be about issues, not scandals, no matter how uninteresting it may be. Let the news jockies play the mudslinging game and let the candidates define what makes them unique.

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