How much debate time?

Originally posted by Metal Brain
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2011/10/equal_time_romney_records_one.php

Who deserves (or doesn't deserve) the amount of time in debates and why?

I think they should all get equal amounts of camera time, personally.

I'm glad the article mentioned the fact that many of the candidates' questions for one another were aimed at Romney, but the fact that the moderator(s) in the debate(s) had to offer Romney follow-up/rebuttal time at the mention of his name also probably contributed to the skew.

Ultimately, though, it is the responsibility of the moderators. I for one would like to see questions with less emphasis on previous positions, or previous statements, etc., and more emphasis on broad, hypothetical questions that force the candidates to step out of their comfort zones. I think at least 3/4 of the questions at the Fox debate (the one before this Dartmouth-New Hampshire debate) were obviously softballs. I also wouldn't mind seeing more questions posed to every candidate on stage, instead of to just one or two.

Also important, I think, is the candidates' position on the stage/table where the debate occurs. I don't know if this is convention or not, but consistently, the frontrunners have been in the middle of the stage/table. I think that this contributes to moderators' actions, even if only subconsciously.

Originally posted by Metal Brain
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2011/10/equal_time_romney_records_one.php

Who deserves (or doesn't deserve) the amount of time in debates and why?

There are two issues at hand. One is the amount of debate time the media allows and the other is how these candidates are portrayed in the media. As I have shown with Ron Paul, he may bet equal debate time, however, thereafter he is by in large ignored.

You could almost make the arguement that the media picks presidents. After all, during the last presidential election the media was biased towards Obama without a doubt.

Originally posted by whodey
After all, during the last presidential election the media was biased towards Obama without a doubt.

Do you hava any unbiased means of supporting this assertion?

I won't hold my breath.

Originally posted by Metal Brain
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2011/10/equal_time_romney_records_one.php

Who deserves (or doesn't deserve) the amount of time in debates and why?

You know, I really don't care one way or another. Rather than obsessing over the time each candidate gets, I would like to see a debate format where there is more give and take between the candidates - where they can challenge each other and be forced to talk on other than prepared responses. Most debates these days are essentially synchronized press conferences.