Republican and Democratic primary debates may provide good theater for political junkies but for Joe and Mary Lou American they are sterile. They lack imagination, creativity, excitement, inspiration and are non productive. Every candidate, in order not to alienate regulars spews forth variations of the same old party line along with preapproved and carefully scripted talking points. That's why they put us to sleep. In addition, by being so narrowly focused they block out all other possible policy positions from the public attention and serve therefore to brainwash rather than inform. They underestimate our intelligence.
Fox news has a perception problem. They are seen by many as anything but "Fair and Balanced". Their offer to sponsor a Democratic debate was rejected by Democrats to underline that very point. They need something to enhance a nonpartisan image as a step in the right direction for a major news outlet.
Here is my ( hopefully) constructive challenge to Fox News. You could provide an unparalleled public service and gain more general respectability for your network by sponsoring a very different kind of national debate about 2008. I propose a TV Presidential debate among the prominent field of "Non Candidates".
Think of the different takes on national policy issues that could be put on the table by some of the following: Michael Bloomberg, Lou Dobbs, Fred Thompson, Newt Gingrich, Al Gore, John Kerry, etc. None are running, yet, and that is why they have much to contribute to public understanding. They are all serious people with ideas and fewer constraints than the candidates themselves. This airing of issues and perspectives is bound to have a spillover effect on subsequent debates among actual candidates.
Is there any doubt in your mind that this unusual group of individuals would hesitate for a moment to accept such an invitation? For listeners it would be so stimulating we would actually have to pay attention. Would you tune in?
3 comments on 2008 Debates: Challenge to Fox News
Add a comment
To add comments without entering your email and image verification, you must be logged in. Login or Join Blogster
Name calling and grand standing are common tactics on Fox. Although I too would love to see what those "non-candidates" have to say, I can't see trying to filter through the constant kindergarten behavior of the Fox News staff and commentators just to get a peek at something good. Great idea, wrong network!
Genine Hopkins, May 3, 2007, 10:41am ET
Your skepticism is valid and understood.
My challenge to Fox is based on the assumption that the desire to get better at what you do is endemic, even to political operatives.
Hey, if they refuse there is always PBS.
John M., May 3, 2007, 10:55am ET delete
Public policy discussions should amount to more than "spin," I agree. Your idea about having some of the non-candidates thrash out some of the issues is intriguing.
We have yet to see the huge onslaught of advertising that all the campaign money will be driving at us day and night. In anticipation of all the "positioning" and "image-making" that that advertising will bring, I've been ruminating over ways we, the public, could get to know the candidates better--in depth. So I like the direction you are headed with this suggestion.
Dave A., May 4, 2007, 7:25am ET
Dave A.
I am pleased to hear that your thinking is taking you in similar directions. The further benefit of the non candidate debate during the primary period is that it would juxtapose philosophicly liberal and conservative ideas and put each to the test of merit.
John M., May 4, 2007, 7:47am ET delete
That said, these traditional "debates" are not debates at all. They are showcases. And they are not worth much as showcases. They are not even traditional. The traditional political debate was carried out day by day in the newspapers, now that the newspapers have become second tier sources of information, the debate has been filtered though the time constraints of half hour news "shows" on television.
There is more political debate on "Law and Order" than there is on the Nightly News.
Karl L., May 4, 2007, 4:01pm ET
So what should we be doing about it?
John M., May 4, 2007, 5:17pm ET delete