2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial
Presidential candidates are faced with debate scrutiny
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 1
Another day, another debate.
Or at least that's what it seems. The 2008 presidential election race, which has seemingly been in progress since President Bush took office in 2004, has less than a year until its culmination.
In its latest phase, Republicans took the stage yesterday to take part in yet another debate, this one sponsored in part by YouTube and CNN. YouTube users had the chance to ask the presidential candidates direct questions, something they had an equal opportunity to do with the Democratic candidates.
While it is nice to have so many chances to catch up and hear what the candidates have to say about important issues, this year's race has gone too far. The number of debates, tour stops and television coverage devoted to this presidential race has seemingly skyrocketed.
Like this editorial previously said, this is not all bad. Citizens have had multiple opportunities to get to know the candidates to begin to form opinions on who they would like to see in the Oval Office next year.
But the amount of coverage may have an opposite effect in terms of the number of people turning out to vote. For one, people may be sick of hearing about the race. Yes, it's obviously important, but everything these candidates do is scrutinized, and when anyone is scrutinized for this long, they are bound to make mistakes.
Inevitably, these mistakes may be turned into bigger deals than they really should be and a candidate who would be a perfect fit for the White House may be hung out to dry for slipping up once in a four-year presidential race. This is not beneficial for the country or the citizens who need to make an educated choice based on issues, not minor mishaps and mistakes.
Or at least that's what it seems. The 2008 presidential election race, which has seemingly been in progress since President Bush took office in 2004, has less than a year until its culmination.
In its latest phase, Republicans took the stage yesterday to take part in yet another debate, this one sponsored in part by YouTube and CNN. YouTube users had the chance to ask the presidential candidates direct questions, something they had an equal opportunity to do with the Democratic candidates.
While it is nice to have so many chances to catch up and hear what the candidates have to say about important issues, this year's race has gone too far. The number of debates, tour stops and television coverage devoted to this presidential race has seemingly skyrocketed.
Like this editorial previously said, this is not all bad. Citizens have had multiple opportunities to get to know the candidates to begin to form opinions on who they would like to see in the Oval Office next year.
But the amount of coverage may have an opposite effect in terms of the number of people turning out to vote. For one, people may be sick of hearing about the race. Yes, it's obviously important, but everything these candidates do is scrutinized, and when anyone is scrutinized for this long, they are bound to make mistakes.
Inevitably, these mistakes may be turned into bigger deals than they really should be and a candidate who would be a perfect fit for the White House may be hung out to dry for slipping up once in a four-year presidential race. This is not beneficial for the country or the citizens who need to make an educated choice based on issues, not minor mishaps and mistakes.