Spring Break
Candidates have to audition to get the part
Jamie Thomson
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Ed-Op
On Nov. 2nd, my colleague Sam Chenkin spoke of presidential primary debates as "lacking any real substance."
Well, I have to agree with this observation; modern debates are not about the issues. They are, in fact, auditions. But they are hardly irrelevant to a candidate's viability as president.
"The public doesn't even want to see substance; they want to see how well their future politician can dance in front of a camera," Chenkin observed.
Again, I agree that when the public turns on the TV to watch a debate, they aren't looking for dry speeches about candidates' plans for the economy. They want to see the verbal smack down that Hillary had coming to her, or what Kucinich has to say about UFOs.
Those who want to see substance will find it in candidates' published records and platforms, and in the rare substantive comment made during a formal event such as a debate.
In the primaries especially, where candidates' fundamental positions tend to be so similar, isn't the more interesting part the dance? How well can a candidate roll with the punches and defend their positions?
Anyone at any time can look up a candidate's stance on the War in Iraq on his web site; during a debate, candidates have the opportunity to defend and (to a small degree) clarify their established positions, but more distinctly, they get to strut their stuff and define themselves as capable politicians.
It may seem that the performances candidates put on during debates and throughout their campaigns are just for image and entertainment, but really they are not just hollow exercises intended to win votes.
Eloquence and wit, the ability to think on one's feet and "avoid getting in trouble" are important skills for any politician, most importantly a president, who is our top leader as well as the face of our country to the rest of the world.
Any candidate could be a good president with the right policies, but without the ability to capture the hearts of people and the skill to interact gracefully and diplomatically with other countries, he or she can't be a great leader.
Well, I have to agree with this observation; modern debates are not about the issues. They are, in fact, auditions. But they are hardly irrelevant to a candidate's viability as president.
"The public doesn't even want to see substance; they want to see how well their future politician can dance in front of a camera," Chenkin observed.
Again, I agree that when the public turns on the TV to watch a debate, they aren't looking for dry speeches about candidates' plans for the economy. They want to see the verbal smack down that Hillary had coming to her, or what Kucinich has to say about UFOs.
Those who want to see substance will find it in candidates' published records and platforms, and in the rare substantive comment made during a formal event such as a debate.
In the primaries especially, where candidates' fundamental positions tend to be so similar, isn't the more interesting part the dance? How well can a candidate roll with the punches and defend their positions?
Anyone at any time can look up a candidate's stance on the War in Iraq on his web site; during a debate, candidates have the opportunity to defend and (to a small degree) clarify their established positions, but more distinctly, they get to strut their stuff and define themselves as capable politicians.
It may seem that the performances candidates put on during debates and throughout their campaigns are just for image and entertainment, but really they are not just hollow exercises intended to win votes.
Eloquence and wit, the ability to think on one's feet and "avoid getting in trouble" are important skills for any politician, most importantly a president, who is our top leader as well as the face of our country to the rest of the world.
Any candidate could be a good president with the right policies, but without the ability to capture the hearts of people and the skill to interact gracefully and diplomatically with other countries, he or she can't be a great leader.
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