Political debates in this country aren't actually political debates at all, but rather simultaneous question and answer sessions wherein those being questioned occasionally attack--or defend themselves from attacks by--the other people being questioned. It has the effect of turning what could be a real debate (proposed: I should win the nomination!) into a two hour pivot-and gab-fest in which everyone tries to say something memorable so they can ride the resulting media wave for a few weeks.
That said, I think this is an opportunity for the underdogs to say something memorable so they can ride the resulting media wave for a few weeks. Specifically, this is a substantial opportunity for Edwards (semi-underdog) and Richardson and (though he's really down there in the polls) Dodd. These are people with extremely substantive and in many cases popular ideas who will be able to, Kucinich-style, challenge Clinton and/or Obama to answer for their respective weaknesses using memorable language.
So. My prediction, for what it's worth: Clinton is a punching bag, loses badly, and suffers the only noticeable dip in the polls. Obama says little new, sees little change in his numbers. Richardson makes the biggest absolute gain though not big enough to make him a contender, and Edwards moves closer to second place in the national polls.
Comments