plunkett@rlgvax.UUCP (S. Plunkett) (10/09/84)
Why not this: Each candidate, in turn, is submitted to two one-hour
sit-down discussion sessions with, say, Wm. F. Buckley, Jr. for one
session and, say, J. K. Galbraith for the other. The intent is to
have each candidate grilled by a known representative from both political
traditions.
At all four sessions there may be a panel of one or two journalists
or academics, who will be given an opportunity to direct specific questions
to the candidate in the final half-hour.
The candidates may be questioned where ever they like. For the
incumbent, it would probably be the Oval Office. This would maintain
the proper dignity that should be accorded the President. For the
challenger, it would be any location that suited his "theme."
The above, as some will notice, is similar to the format of Buckley's
highly successful "Firing Line." (Successful in the sense that "issues"
are discussed intelligently and at length, and have been for a very
long time.)
It would eliminate the inanities and absurdities seen last Sunday
night: e.g., a scolding moderator, a partisan and cheering audience,
insipid questions, dodged and incomplete answers, and not least,
an utter waste of time for all concerned.
Scott Plunkett,
..{ihnp4,allegra,seismo}!rlgvax!plunkettscw@cepu.UUCP (10/11/84)
In article <174@rlgvax.UUCP> plunkett@rlgvax.UUCP (S. Plunkett) writes: >Why not this: Each candidate, in turn, is submitted to two one-hour >sit-down discussion sessions with, say, Wm. F. Buckley, Jr. for one >session and, say, J. K. Galbraith for the other. The intent is to >have each candidate grilled [...] and absurdities seen last Sunday >night: e.g., a scolding moderator, a partisan and cheering audience, >insipid questions, dodged and incomplete answers, and not least, >an utter waste of time for all concerned. Right on! What a wonderful idea. You should send a hard copy to the League of Women Voters (the folks who usually arrange the 'debates'). -- Stephen C. Woods (VA Wadsworth Med Ctr./UCLA Dept. of Neurology) uucp: { {ihnp4, uiucdcs}!bradley, hao, trwrb, sdcrdcf}!cepu!scw ARPA: cepu!scw@ucla-cs location: N 34 3' 9.1" W 118 27' 4.3"
laura@utzoo.UUCP (Laura Creighton) (10/14/84)
Scott, better yet have Buckley and Galbraith go at it... Laura Creighton utzoo!laura