Panelists this week answered the question: Do you think the debates will affect the outcome of the presidential election?
Jim West: “Yes, but not much. I’m part of the 47% who already know how I’m going to vote based on years of watching, listening and reading-I like politics. I like watching football too, and while I love seeing Green Bay win a game, the Packers are my team win or lose.”
Bill Mifsud: “Yes, there are those who have made up their minds on who they are voting. There is a significant percentage of those who can go either way. The debates are the best way to attract those swing votes.”
Frankie Gallagher: “Not really. I think it may sway some of the undecided voters, but with that said, I think the debates have become a theatrical event that is so scripted and rehearsed that it is almost irrelevant. It’s like watching bad reality TV.”
Richard Place: “Yes I do.”
Louise Ledesma: “No. There are several factors which contribute to the success of a presidential candidate. I feel the most important ones are the jobs report and the feeling that the economy is improving. This varies greatly from state to state and even within a state. The Silicon Valley area is on fire, the Stock Market has risen 15% this year and the cost of medical care had the smallest increase in 30 years. People in the swing states need to study the issues and not rely on half truths from TV commercials and debates.”
Ruth Erickson: “The live debates could affect the votes of the undecided electorate and could persuade others to vote differently after all the scripted, negative political ads.”
Mary Zanger: “Yes, television debates influence elections. Originally, The League of Women Voters sponsored the debates until the League objected to the candidates’ prior knowledge of the questions. Both political parties then stepped in grabbing control of the format, excluding third parties, they paid for the sponsorship by selling advertising to Anheuser Busch and Exxon Mobil. I watched the program ‘Expanding the Debates’ on Democracy Now, Link TV 9510 Dish. An interruption was made after each time Obama and Romney had their two minutes. Two minutes then went to Dr. Jill Stein, Green Party candidate, and then two minutes went to Rocky Andersen, Justice Party candidate. The program then went back to Jim Lehrer for the next exchange. That was what Democracy looked like.”
