An opportunity to hear the candidates directly on the issues as compared to Opinion/Commentary columns, reporter's interpretations , sometimes mixed with their own opinions, and the audio news clips which may or may not convey the entire message. The web link explains the Debate format etc., etc.,
*** Wall St Journal.com
June 26, 2008, 4:47 pm
New Format Is Proposed for Presidential Debates
Brad Haynes reports on the presidential race.
The Commission on Presidential Debates has proposed three debates featuring a more conversational style without the 30-second responses and time buzzers from previous election years. The debates would consist of eight 10-minute segments, with the moderator proposing a topic and then allowing the candidates to discuss.
Two of the debates would take place with the candidates seated at a table – playing down Sen. Barack Obama’s height advantage over Sen. John McCain – and one would be in a town hall format, where candidates can sit in stools or roam around.
The debates will take place Sept. 26 through Oct. 15 at universities in Mississippi, Tennessee and New York. The commission said seating arrangements are negotiable but the dates and locations of the debates are not up for debate.
*** Commission on Presidential Debates Announces Sites, Dates, Formats and Candidate Selection Criteria for 2008 General Election
http://www.debates.org/pages/news_111907.html
Paul G. Kirk, Jr. and Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., co-chairmen of the non-partisan, non-profit Commission on Presidential Debates ("CPD" or "the Commission") today announced dates, sites and formats of three presidential and one vice presidential debates for the 2008 general election. The dates and sites are:
First presidential debate:
Friday, September 26
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Vice presidential debate:
Thursday, October 2
Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Second presidential debate:
Tuesday, October 7
Belmont University, Nashville, TN
Third presidential debate:
Wednesday, October 15
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY