"You did a great job tonight, Anderson, keeping 8 presidential candidates in line."
Wolf Blitzer just said that to Anderson Cooper after commentary on the CNN-YouTube debate.
Will someone now keep Wolf Blitzer "in line"?
posted by GottaLaff @ 9:31 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
So 8 adults, one who will hopefully become president, answering a long series of questions, with their candidacy at stake, need to be "kept in line"?
I need to go punch my pillow now. Wolf's too far away.
Gottalaff
Do you know where I can get the YouTube videos of all the candidates answers?
It's funny that Wolfie would ask that. Anderson did a much better job than Wolf did.
ME - go check out CNN.com. I think they have the whole available for replay.
Thanks, Gimme, since I had no idea where to get them at this point.
I kind of liked the format, except for 3 things:
1) Some of the vids were too gimmicky. Just get to the point.
2) The candidate's campaign vids were time-wasters, even if they were good.
3) Follow-ups and discussions should be mandatory in any debate. Isn't that what "debate" means? Let's see:
Main Entry: 1de·bate
Pronunciation: di-'bAt, dE-
Function: noun
: a contention by words or arguments: as a : the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure b : a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides
What's especially bullshit about the "in line" comment is that I didn't hear a single candidate interrupt anyone tonight.
The only interruptions came from AC.
I really think Edwards is right that there are too many people in a single debate. We need more than 30 second answers. If that means two debates of 4 each, I'd be for that. Anything to give the candidates more time to respond.
Thanks gimmeabreak, I wanted to put it up on my blog. I thought the questions were much better than the garbage you hear from Chris Matthews. I didn't get to see all of them yet and will pour over them tonight, but I think it was certainly innovative. I have to wonder what kind of questions will be picked for the Republicans...I saw one question on YouTube which was a long meandering insult after insult question. Typical stuff you'd hear from Hannity. I hope that isn't what will show up at the debate. I hope that someone will ask the Republican candidates what they think of all the power this president has taken for himself and away from the Legislative Branch.
One thing I noticed is that, with YouTubers asking the questions, and showing some personality, or sharing deeply personal situations, it disarmed the candidates.
They were smiling more, cracking up, or actually looking sincerely affected (not "practiced" sincere, but genuine) by some of what was up there.
I do wish CNN's director/camera ops had the presence of mind to zoom in on the screen when the YouTubes were up, instead of making us try to see it from miles away.
Directing 101, guys.
I liked this format. And ohDave and Laffy are correct - this format can't be called "debate" by any standard. I agree with Hillary and John's open-miked whispers as well. You now they're all talking that way.
I totally agree with ohdave and Edwards about too many people in the debates. It ends up being like a high school election...quick sound bites that are nothing more than extended slogans for their campaign... 'I'm voting for him 'cuz he said we'd have better food at lunch and OMG, did you see what so 'n' so was wearing?!'
I liked the "debate" (come on, the air quotes are needed in this case). I am in total agreement with everyone- we need fewer candidates on the stage. So let us bounce the big boys ( and the girl) and let Kucinich's wife have more face time, because maybe he'll get a bump up. ( I kid...)
Eight people on stage each talking about the problems of the country and it's leaders...and what should be done to fix things. It was exciting to see and hear the audience laugh, smile and applaud their presentations. -- Oopps! I wasn't watching the debate, I was at the Comedy Store. "Never mind."
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