It’s game on: ‘debate’ dates, venues, networks and, now, moderators are set.
Acclaim for the hosting universities: Hofstra University — now hosting an unprecedented three consecutive presidential debates (Je Maintiendrai) — Longwood University, Washington University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hosting a presidential debate is a well-earned source of pride for an entire university community, conferring well-deserved international recognition.
To date, the most basic standards for legitimate debate have been ignored:
- If there must be a live audience — there shouldn’t — it should be admonished to silence.
- Topics, time limits and response times should be clearly pre-established and strictly adhered to.
- Specific answers to specific questions should be enforced; deflection disallowed.
- Personal vitriol/name-calling strictly prohibited.
- Moderator narcissism/agenda checked at the door.
Inclusion of social media is pandering stagecraft — the questions are pre-screened. Same for town hall forums, subject to the whims and predispositions of producers and moderators. Both may have their place elsewhere.
But they’ll be included in the upcoming ‘debates.’ The unseemly Commission on Presidential Debates saw to that. The League of Women Voters’ integrity is sorely missed.
Throughout this mind-numbingly protracted political cycle — primary debates, especially — media outlets failed their mandate miserably, particularly cable and broadcast news.
These four fine universities are uniquely positioned to elevate the discourse. Together — best in a joint, well-publicized news conference — they could hold the networks’ feet to the fire, demanding of moderators the very highest standards of political discourse and debate procedure in their houses. They have the standing to do so. One could argue they have the moral obligation to do so. Their own stature would be further enhanced. We’d all be so much the better for it.
What better opportunity to elevate this entire dysfunctional process — this debate charade — than by shining a bright antiseptic academic light on it; waking the public to the blather we’re otherwise certain to endure?
"Television is Ruining Presidential Debates," U.S. News & World Report
"Networks Lobbying Commission on Presidential Debates Over Moderators, Formats," TVNewser
Robert's Rules Online
Triumph at Hofstra