Maggie's Farm

First off, I've found an excellent site with all of the upcoming debate dates and videos of the past debates here.

As I see it, there are a three aspects to these political debates that, in general, the pundits out there either don't get, or refuse to acknowledge because it would devalue their article.  Or, in some cases, negate the need for the article altogether.

The first is not recognizing that debates have procedures, no matter what the topic or venue.  For example, if an opponent has used up his allotted time barking at you and continues to do so, the proper procedure is to address the moderator, not get into a cat fight with the asswipe breaking the rules, thereby breaking them yourself.

Here's Charles Krauthammer after the last debate, when Perry went bananas on poor Romney's ass:

Worse, Romney turned to the referee — moderator Anderson Cooper — with a plaintive "Anderson?" seeking intervention. An uncharacteristically weak moment.

That is precisely incorrect, and I saw this evaluation a lot after the debate.  There are protocols in place for almost any endeavor where people get together, be it school board meetings, town hall meetings, the Rotary Club, the local kids' treehouse, you name it, and political debates are no different.

We tend to throw the words 'moron' and 'imbecile' around a lot in the blogosphere, but I believe the correct word in this case is ignoramus.

And then there's this from candidate Jon Huntsman, who sat out the debate:

"I was totally embarrassed -- completely embarrassed by the lack of seriousness, the lack of focus on the issues that really matter to the American people -- issues about reviving our economy and addressing joblessness were given short shrift," said the former Utah governor.

Sounds mighty powerful and caring and candidate-y, doesn't it?  Well, Jon, here's the thing:

The candidates don't get to pick the topics!

I've seen the whiny "But they're not talking about the important stuff!" all over the place, including the comments here.  Either these people have no business behind a keyboard, or they're purposefully glossing over the obvious so they'll have something to bitch about.  As the renown TigerHawk says, can you think of a third alternative?

(As a small side note, I often use Tige's great question when reading an AGW article.  I think at the time, either this moron actually believes this tripe, or he's lying through his teeth for a greater purpose, most likely his wallet.  Can you think of a third alternative?)

And the worst of all is the dispiriting tenor of the bloggers.  "Oh, Crap, Another Debate" blares Hot Air.  "What A Snoozer!" screams PJ Media.  It's been getting worse and worse as the debates roll by.  This will sound absolutely ludicrous, but I'm the only blogger I see who's remaining excited about them and trying to keep our collective spirits up.  Yes, I excoriate the candidates mercilessly at times, but I'm also quick to pass along kudos when I feel they're deserved. I crack jokes, I point out that Michele looks particularly hot tonight, I keep us in tune with the audience's reactions, like who got the first big applause, who got the biggest applause, and which candidate is the only one to get soundly booed so far (I wouldn't want to mention any names, but his initials are R.O.N. P.A.U.L.), all in the hopes of inspiring people to stay involved and upbeat.

Everybody else acts like watching and reporting on them is a chore.

The point is, with people being distracted by Thanksgiving and Xmas, the next few months are going to fly by and the primary elections will be upon us.  After four months of steadily-increasing ennui, do the bloggers expect everyone to suddenly catch fire at the last minute just because they tell them to, or will the momentum that builds from apathy be too strong?

And, will it be too late?

As for tonight's debate, the subject is economics.  Stand by for a bunch of complaints tomorrow from various pundits and commenters whining, "But they didn't talk about the important stuff!"

The debate will focus exclusively on the nation's economic challenges including the national debt, jobs and taxes.

Seriously, is it possible for them to be any clearer?

Game time is 8 pm EST, CNBC.  The assholes aren't streaming it, so I'll miss it.

As a small side note, I've been pushing for Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin for the V.P. slot since the beginning.  Add this to the reasons why.