Fourth Democratic Presidential Debate: More Controversial or a Repeat?
Sample Script for a Panel Discussion
October 2, 2019
Round 4 – Democratic Primary Debate Staccato Style..Until It Wasn’t
October 16, 2019
We are now into the fourth Democratic Presidential Debate with not only 10 candidates on stage, but TWELVE!
Ugh. It’s going to be two (or two and half or even three?) hours of same old stuff UNLESS the moderators choose to change the format (which has not been specified as of yet…and it usually is by now). The last three debates rules allowed the candidates to talk a bit (60-75 seconds for direct responses to questions and 30-45 seconds for rebuttals and responses). There’s usually some fluff about penalties for interrupting another (yeah right). And no real time to dig into the issues.
Viewership is down (from a high of 27M to 14M) and there doesn’t seem to be tons of excitement for this round. People are far more interested in who qualifies for the next round in November.
For this round, there are no rules (does that mean it will be a free-for-all?) That is, unless the rules get stated closer to the debate in order to surprise everyone!
So…it’s all up to the moderators to save this debate from being a reprise of the last three debates.
Let’s hope CNN Anchors Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett along with New York Times national editor Marc Lacey create a more interesting format than ask a question, allow for a rebuttal and a few responses.
I think it will be a more contentious debate. During the 2nd RNC Debate in 2012, Newt Gingrich “attached the debate moderators [Cooper] for wanting to spur….debate.” Oh my! They actually debated the issues? CBS reported “The debate was awash in interruptions, accusations, and petty point scoring that made all involved look less than presidential.” (FYI – Cooper also moderated the 1st DNC debate and the 2nd Presidential debate in 2016.)
We won’t know until Tuesday.
For more information, check out my website at www.RulesAnalyst.com. Book me now to comment (live , Zoom, or pre-recorded interviews) on the next debate by calling me at 480.399.8489 or set up a time to talk here.
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First Democratic Presidential Primary: The Beto & Booker Show!
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