These would be incredibly hard to moderate for a stable of several candidates. Town Halls work for one on one debates.

With a bunch of folks on stage, you need to control who gets what questions…with Town Halls you very likely could see a moderator losing control of the audience and who they want to ask what.

Makes more sense seeing snowmen asking questions at that time of year, at least.

“[I]f they put a premium on getting their message across online, they wouldn’t have hesitated” to join the debate. “But they want to use the medium only if they can control it, which speaks to an underlying fear or ignorance or discomfiture.”

(Emphasis mine)

That’s the problem with “news by sound bite.” you receive so little. I’m afraid that MM (or somebody) is going to have to explain “control” to me.

B. HUSSEIN Obama and Hitlary actually answer tough, real questions from people who actually have an IQ above 65? Never happen.

lynnv on August 2, 2007 at 8:12 AM

And the Republicans have to answer questions from people with below temperature IQ’s all damn day. Most especially at a CNN/YouTube “debate.” I would like to see some intelligence while watching some of this stuff. My TV has a setting called “brightness,” but it doesn’t work.

Howze about a panel consisting of Michele Malkin, Jeff Goldstein, John Hawkins, Frank J. and Iowahawk?

Still, the damage may have been done in reinforcing a stereotype of Republicans as stuck in a time warp, writing off younger voters and afraid to face an unpredictable public that has a negative opinion of the current Republican White House and the war in Iraq.

Here’s what i said a few days ago -

It doesn’t matter whether they do it or not at this point. The fact that they balked at it is more than enough for the left to claim victory. If they do the debate, one of the questions is sure to be “why did you have to be forced to answer questions from the people”, or something along those lines.
forged rite on July 27, 2007 at 7:33 PM

The left is predictable and boring.

Why can’t they allow real people ask questions at the Debate? Town Meeting Style? No bells. No whistles. Intelligent clear questions is all that is required not animated snowmen or the redneck version of Dave and Thomas.

kiakjones on August 1, 2007 at 7:43 PM

Been wondering about that myself. What are the lefties and the righties afraid of? The people?

It would be nice to know who said what without having to search all over the internet for it. I know you and Ace have your reasons but it is annoying.

Blake on August 1, 2007 at 8:05 PM

Dear Blake, who’s comments I like a lot, on this one, just read the link/s, above, and ye shall find the answer. Best,

Exit question: Who’s responsible for this blistering critique?

The Boss

I was hoping the front runners would not show so we could see more of the other candidates like Hunter and how they respond to more spotlight.

Isn’t the Iowa caucus next week? Does it seem early for that or is it just me?

doriangrey on August 1, 2007 at 8:01 PM

ditto

profitsbeard on August 1, 2007 at 8:21 PM

also ditto, except maybe the perambulate & masticate

wait, you said masTICATE ? never mind……..

Anybody interested in Serious Info on this subject should just read Hugh Hewitt, and NEVER read anything Sullivan says about anything

Some will go along (Tancredo, Hunter, etc.) to get more notice, and the rest will adapt to the medium after its unfamilarity is shown not to be anything that a person can’t deftly turn to his or her advantage.

Assuming they can perambulate and masticate tree sap at the same time.

Face reality folks, most Americans think the whole presidential debate concept is worthless. And those people especially the bloggers who keep screaming about it are a pretty damn arrogant lot. But then again when your bread and butter is a fast paced exchange of ideas I suppose everything cant be genuine red meat. Kind of the same thing that put and kept Paris Hilton in the news.