Political Debate, R.I.P.
by Sean Hackbarth
Is debate doomed? After watching the three Presidential debates that barely affected the race one could easily say, “yes:”
It’s unlikely that debate will fully recover. Oratory is too battered — in the schools by a misplaced egalitarianism, in national politics by an anti-intellectual populism. It’s a shame. Crowds thrill to Barack Obama’s words, as they once thrilled to Ronald Reagan’s. That both men could be attacked as “mere” orators, as if words did not convey ideas, and as if ideas could not change the world, reflects a cynical side of America. As we debaters would say, Be it resolved: In the battle for good debate, the lesser angels of our nature are winning.
“For Argument’s Sake”
Our presidential debates are unpredictable and often unfair, but there is no better test of a candidate.
Most Americans never see presidential candidates in the flesh. For many, the televized debates are their only chance to watch them up close and more or less unscripted. They can observe how their would-be leaders think on their feet and cope with huge pressure. These are useful skills for a president.