To: Debate Hosts: ABC, CBS, CNBC, FOX, National Review, NBC, PBS, Telemundo, Univision, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reince Priebus, Chair of Republican National Committee, and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Chair of Democratic National...
Improve the Debate Process - Change the Rules
The American public deserves debates for the highest office in the land - President, that provide detail on each candidates positions, factual statements with regard to their and their opponents records and positions, probing questions that provide insight, and sufficient time to "debate" serious topics.
I respectfully ask that any network hosting a debate (Republican, Democrat, or Presidential) adopt the following rules:
1. Commentators of the debate should be above the politics and non-biased in their questions. If they want to have their own opinion aired in the debate forum, run for office, but do not commentate a debate.
2. Have separate and thorough debates by issue so there is sufficient time to explore and get answers to questions (i.e. Immigration, Foreign Policy/National Security, Budget and Deficit, Healthcare, etc.). Cramming everything into one debate does justice to nothing.
3. Ask each candidate the same questions and allow them time to answer in more than a “sound bite”.
4. Only allow candidates to discuss their position not spend their time demeaning someone else’s position. Have faith in the American public that if provided each candidate’s position, they are capable of reaching their own conclusion as to which one most aligns with their thinking.
5. If a candidate does not answer the question but rather pivots to campaign rhetoric, stop them and politely ask them to answer. If they refuse they forfeit their right to answer that question.
6. Provide “one set of starting facts”. Facts are facts. While each candidate can have a different opinion, they cannot have a different set of facts. [i.e. the deficit is what is , unemployment is what it is and the number of jobs created is what it is]. This goes for national “facts” as well as each candidate’s record, particularly if they want to use their record as a factual statement about their success. When asking a question that relates to a “fact”, state the fact in the question.
7. As a topic (as mentioned above like Immigration) is discussed, the voting record of each candidate should be shown on the screen. The commentators should call out candidates, who mislead or misstate their record.
8. In the recent debate, we are well aware that all of the candidates disagreed with President Obama on the Iran Nuclear deal. However, not one was asked what he or she would do in the alternative. If a candidate(s) wants to take an opposing position, either to the current or a former President or candidate of their or another party, it should be done respectfully. But more important, they can say, “I disagree”, and here is what I would propose or what I have done in my position.
9. There were so many non-factual statements made during the debate that went unchecked. Most records / statements are fact checkable. Employ independent, non-partisan, fact-checkers and stream fact checking simultaneously with the debate. Perhaps this will cut down on false statements.
10. Since each debate will be devoted to a particular topic, eliminate coverage of “spin doctors”. Make the post debate coverage an independent discussion of non-partisan journalists or economists or experts in a particular field to discuss the pros and cons of each position.
I respectfully ask that any network hosting a debate (Republican, Democrat, or Presidential) adopt the following rules:
1. Commentators of the debate should be above the politics and non-biased in their questions. If they want to have their own opinion aired in the debate forum, run for office, but do not commentate a debate.
2. Have separate and thorough debates by issue so there is sufficient time to explore and get answers to questions (i.e. Immigration, Foreign Policy/National Security, Budget and Deficit, Healthcare, etc.). Cramming everything into one debate does justice to nothing.
3. Ask each candidate the same questions and allow them time to answer in more than a “sound bite”.
4. Only allow candidates to discuss their position not spend their time demeaning someone else’s position. Have faith in the American public that if provided each candidate’s position, they are capable of reaching their own conclusion as to which one most aligns with their thinking.
5. If a candidate does not answer the question but rather pivots to campaign rhetoric, stop them and politely ask them to answer. If they refuse they forfeit their right to answer that question.
6. Provide “one set of starting facts”. Facts are facts. While each candidate can have a different opinion, they cannot have a different set of facts. [i.e. the deficit is what is , unemployment is what it is and the number of jobs created is what it is]. This goes for national “facts” as well as each candidate’s record, particularly if they want to use their record as a factual statement about their success. When asking a question that relates to a “fact”, state the fact in the question.
7. As a topic (as mentioned above like Immigration) is discussed, the voting record of each candidate should be shown on the screen. The commentators should call out candidates, who mislead or misstate their record.
8. In the recent debate, we are well aware that all of the candidates disagreed with President Obama on the Iran Nuclear deal. However, not one was asked what he or she would do in the alternative. If a candidate(s) wants to take an opposing position, either to the current or a former President or candidate of their or another party, it should be done respectfully. But more important, they can say, “I disagree”, and here is what I would propose or what I have done in my position.
9. There were so many non-factual statements made during the debate that went unchecked. Most records / statements are fact checkable. Employ independent, non-partisan, fact-checkers and stream fact checking simultaneously with the debate. Perhaps this will cut down on false statements.
10. Since each debate will be devoted to a particular topic, eliminate coverage of “spin doctors”. Make the post debate coverage an independent discussion of non-partisan journalists or economists or experts in a particular field to discuss the pros and cons of each position.
Why is this important?
I was born on Election Day and my Mother, an immigrant to the United States and naturalized citizen, insisted on going to vote before going to the hospital. I watched the two Republican debates and came away with more questions than answers. The issues facing our country are serious and our vote for the President is one of the most important responsibilities we have as citizens of this country. We, the people, deserve debates that address the issues and allow sufficient time to discuss and debate. We deserve debates where facts are presented and sound bites are discouraged. This is why I am proposing that those hosting the debates, the Chairs of the Republican and Democratic parties, and the candidates from both parties, embrace and accept my recommendation for debate rules / guideline. I hope, if you agree, you will sign the petition and ask that the above people respect the voting public by adopting these changes.