Priebus had already cancelled one future debate with NBC News as a protest over what Republicans perceived as unfair treatment at the CNBC tilt last week. The candidates, notably Ben Carson and Donald Trump had even threatened to cancel their appearance if specific criteria weren’t met. The entire spectacle appears to be a disingenuous attempt by the media to have even legitimate grievances about the debate formats. Because these are not really debates, in the sense that they don’t allow candidates to fully articulate positions, but rather to deflect and defend themselves while attacking opponents’ positions. Reasoned arguments are nearly impossible with eleven people on a single stage, each one trying to stand out from the others. These debates are spectacles, entertainment for the masses and nothing more than excuses for partisans to do
Priebus had already cancelled one future debate with NBC News as a protest over what Republicans perceived as unfair treatment at the CNBC tilt last week. The candidates, notably Ben Carson and Donald Trump had even threatened to cancel their appearance if specific criteria weren’t met. The entire spectacle appears to be a disingenuous attempt by the media to have even legitimate grievances about the debate formats. Because these are not really debates, in the sense that they don’t allow candidates to fully articulate positions, but rather to deflect and defend themselves while attacking opponents’ positions. Reasoned arguments are nearly impossible with eleven people on a single stage, each one trying to stand out from the others. These debates are spectacles, entertainment for the masses and nothing more than excuses for partisans to do