GOVDebates
Download as PPT, PDF1 like306 views
This document summarizes the positive and negative aspects of presidential debates, as well as voters' perspectives on debates. Positives include unmediated messages, participation in history, and revealing a candidate's ability to lead. Negatives include lack of new information and amplifying mistakes. Voters value seeing candidates' character, but debates may exaggerate superficial qualities over skills needed for governance. Voters also prefer fairness, engagement with opponents' ideas, and reasoned arguments over nonverbal factors like voice modulation.
GOVDebates
- 1. Presidential Debates Mr. Jeremy Rinkel
- 2. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS POSITIVE Unmediated messages Taking part in history Ritual Affirming Governance Reveal ability to lead via Television Comparatively Genuine NEGATIVE No new information, stump speeches revisited Amplify importance, exaggerate mistakes Skills not those needed to Govern Are counterfeit, emphasize superficial “acting” ability
- 3. Positives and Negatives 1960 Debate Credited for Kennedy’s victory against Richard Nixon (Positive) 1988 Debate Dukakis’ lack of emotion on an opening death penalty question (Negative) 2000 Debate Narrow margin between Bush and Gore
- 4. RHETORICAL GOALS OF THE CANDIDATES Controlling the agenda independence from the question setting the future story Showing leadership Favorable creation of “the people” Formulate an attractive vision for the nation engender respect, dispel fears Complementing with the general campaign storyline Political ads, news reporting, themes
- 5. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WIN A DEBATE? Score points of the issues of day Create, reinforce a presidential image Avoid missteps, mistakes Control the pre and post-debate spin Fit with “expectations” of press and candidates Consistency with Character or public persona Convincing undecided, or reinforcing the faithful Setting the agenda for subsequent campaign
- 6. ROLE OF MEDIA Demand a winner and loser Celebration of the press as conduit and interpreter for the “public” That the event has elevated important, to match the expenditure of resources That a storyline develops That a simplified symbolic representation is found
- 7. What Voters Look For Persuasive Factors Most important factors: precision, firmness, energy, commitment . Preference for fairness, engaging ideas of opponent, reasoned arguments Nonverbal factors: modulated voice, energetic articulation, intense gaze, energetic posture, firm directed gestures . Politeness matters
- 8. What voters say they like about debates Think debates are more “real” ideally – spontaneous, unscripted and honest Feel they give a better idea issues understanding than speech or ad Capacity for quick thinking and handle pressure Dislike: backstabbing
- 9. What Voters Think about Political Debates Older demographic groups value debates more 83% think there should be multiple debates , (but one is usually enough) 74% said they would watch—(but more often they don’t watch) 90% think they are important because they “ get a personal sense of who the candidates are as people” . . . to see difference between candidates (Is that what the get?)
- 10. What Voters Think about Political Debates 57% said less likely to vote for candidate for Governor or Senate who refused to debate – (but other things more than trump this) 50% believe that average citizens should ask the questions , journalist next at 23% (But Journalist think they are the important conduit) 92% thought candidates knowledge about issues important, 85% thought their positions were important (but Character trumps) 70% said keeping cool and calm as important (But some spunk goes a long ways, and righteous indignance can work as well)
- 11. General Advise Debates are more than issues Character as criterion Interaction is the measure A debate is not a speech but rather a conversation Fluency is valued, but trumped by authenticity , thoughtfulness “ Less is More”, Timing “ Remaking” the candidate – Don’t do it! Format matters Have Fun
- 12. Sources Jerry, Claire,E. ( ) “Understanding Presidential Debates: The Necessity for Interdisciplinary Teaching”. MacMurray College. http://www.wfu.edu/~louden/Political%20Communication/poltitle.html