How to Watch a Debate
October 2, 2008
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Posted by Ray Fowler
Here are some good tips on watching the debates from Alan Johnson, a reporter with The Columbus Dispatch (with extra comments by H.B. London).
- Listen actively. Switch from a passive mode to a learning mode. Pay attention.
- Focus on substance not style. It is not so much how they look and how they sound as it is the clarity of their plans and positions.
- Ignore subtle and disruptive behavior. You have seen candidates twist questions to the point that no answer is ever really given. You need to listen for a response that represents your questions. Discount gamesmanship.
- Keep an open mind. Sometimes I find myself wanting the debaters to say what I want them to say and discounting the other person, even if he or she makes sense. Do you? My political bias many times gets in the way.
- Turn off the TV when the debate is over. The spin zone and post-debate analysis are designed to influence you. Make up your own mind.
- Give your own grade. Be objective. Weigh the significance of the issues. The polls are for the masses — the debate is for you.
HT: The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing
Related post: Fact Checking the Palin/Biden Debate
Categories: Politics
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#5. Turn off the TV before the debate. Get a transcript and read it. Then you don’t have to worry about #1, #2 or #3.
Larry – That’s pretty good! Of course, then I would need to change the title of the post to something different than, “How to Watch a Debate.”
Actually, I do like to hear the candidates speak rather than just read the content later. A person’s body language and vocal inflections communicate a lot along with their words.
For those interested:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/debate.transcript/
Larry – Thanks for the link!