10 Things To Know About The Upcoming Debates

jSpectre writes "Connie Rice writes an interesting article about the 'Presidential Debates' found on NPR's web site. Did you know it's illegal for the candidates to debate anywhere other than CPD ('Cloaking-device for Party Deception') officially santioned debates? Read on for her 'Top 10 Secrets They Don't Want You to Know About the Debates.'" Read more CPD criticism at Open Debates.

Comments

NOW with Bill Moyers Transcript

[_bug_]

George Farrah, author of no debate was on NOW with Bill Moyers to discuss the history of presidential debates and how they've turned into bi-partisan press conferences.

You can read the transcript here.

Re:NOW with Bill Moyers Transcript

[BandwidthHog]

This transcript link works more betterly:

http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript339_fu ll.html

Re:Reform is necessary...

[cephyn]

Perot did that. He was ridiculed. Also don't forget lobbyists only support the major players. Contributions from companies go to the major parties. The major parties support their candidates.

It's a cycle, the rich get richer and the indies get shoved out more and more.

Media Coverage

[wayward]

One frustrating thing about this restriction on debates is that it gives CPD a lot of power over media coverage, since they also control the media credentials. For example, I'm part of Independent Media Center, specifically, the U-C IMC. Essentially, media have to be credentialled by the CPD to even get into the debate, so I filled out the application (which made me specify my race and SSN, among other things).

Monday, I got an email from them saying,

To all recipients on this list:

The Commission on Presidential Debates appreciates your interest in covering the debates. However, at this time, your application has been denied. Applications are declined due to security concerns, space limitations, or other reasons.

Thank you,

The Commission on Presidential Debates

To the best of my knowledge, CPD didn't give credentials to any other Indy Media reporters either. So that means that we can't cover it, because we won't even be admitted to the event.

Re:Rice's Secret # 9, need some help with this one

[SheepHead]

The PBS transcript (from a recent episode of NOW) says it was the debate between Michael Dukakis and George H.W. Bush that created the CPD. (Search for "So the two parties got together.")

That happened in 1988, and 1986 isn't mentioned in that interview. John Anderson is mentioned, but not at all related to Perot. Perot is mentioned, but not in 1986 or anywhere until the 90s as you would expect.

So I have no idea what she is talking about. It sounds to me like she might just be mixing up dates and stories.

Article correcting Rice, clarifying Perot story

[LuisaO]

http://www.commondreams.org/views/100100-103.htm

The same writer has an very good new article (that link is from 2000) that presents a much more fact-based, but no less damning critique than Rice's: http://reclaimdemocracy.org/political_reform/bi-pa rtisan_appearances_real_debates.html