Thursday, September 30, 2004

Prepared for the Debate

Well, I'm ready. There's ice cream in the freezer, snack food on the counter, and scratch paper by the television. All of the heavy objects that I might be tempted to throw have been removed from the room.

I'm not sure why I'm so excited about watching the debates. I know what each gentleman thinks about the war in Iraq, and none of the other issues that worry me are likely to turn up. From an intellectual standpoint, I understand why the candidates want to have more control over the format, audience members and questions posed, but said control does remove any sense that it will be, well, a debate in the strict sense of the word.

Prime Minister's Questions on CSPAN is one of my favorite programs, in large part because anything and everything comes up, and yet it's all phrased so elegantly. "My honored colleague forgets to mention..." is said instead of "the stupid git doesn't know what he's talking about," members openly applaud and boo (I could swear that I once heard animal noises) and it all feels much more open and straightforward.

Deep down, I wonder if I'm watching tonight so that I will more thoroughly enjoy what Jon Stewart has to say tomorrow. Why can't he be the moderator?

P.S. I predict that Bush will wear a yellow tie and Kerry will wear a blue one.

Words Written: zero
Lessons Graded: lots, but not enough

1 comment:

Editor B said...

They really are something of a travesty. Did you know that the Presidential Debate Commission is bipartisan (not nonpartisan)? So the two major parties are in control, which is why it is the way it is, I suppose.

I think an enhanced Daily Show experience is the best possible argument for watching the debates. You may have just convinced me to tune in. No ice cream here, though...