NPR/IPR Debate Gives Mouthpiece For Lesser-Known Candidates

Seven Democratic presidential hopefuls converged in Des Moines Tuesday afternoon to take part in the first audio-only debate of the campaign hosted by Iowa Public Radio and broadcast nationally by National Public Radio. While front-running candidates exchanged a few swipes on the three issues discussed, and have had their words broadly publicized since the debate, the event provided a stage for the lesser-known and lesser-financed candidates: Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel. To say that they played the day for all it was worth would be an understatement.

Guests at the event were ushered into a room with a live video feed and were permitted to view the candidates during the debate, the press file room was absent such luxuries. Those who were able to watch said it was interesting to observe the candidates when they knew they were not on television, that it was like "watching the top students in the class compete for teacher's pet." When the debate concluded, a handful of candidates -- Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, Kucinich and Gravel -- made themselves and their staff available to members of the press who had gathered outside or in the lobby of the Iowa State Historical Building.

The debate itself focused on three issues -- Iran, China and immigration -- in an attempt to bring more depth to the candidates' discussion. Some in the national press have argued that having Kucinich and Gravel as a part of the conversations in Des Moines weakened the format, removed talking time from the other candidates and served no purpose. Iowans -- many of whom said they listened to the debate were found at area businesses afterward -- welcomed at least one last opportunity to hear from the race's lesser-knowns.

"I don't feel that way at all," said Alano Rodriquez of Des Moines when asked if Kucinich and Gravel should have been excluded from the debate because of their lower poll numbers and lack of organization in Iowa. "I won't be caucusing for either of them, but what they have to say is important."

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Comments

[YankeeCanuck]

11:57 AM on 12/19/2007

Toys were discussed in depth-- there's another post calling the debate otherwise somnolent. Forgive me, I have to say this:

Michelle Norris dwelt upon the Chinese toys question looong after it had been answered sufficiently. Then, let a "worried mom" ask the same question.This administration has mortgaged our future and China holds the IOU-- and they were asking endlessly talking about TOYS?
It's pathetic that when the candidates have an opportunity to speak about issues the public finds it a snooze. ZZZ-schnkk-- TOYS!! Better listen!
Can Americans discern the difference between an answer and a sound bite?
Not according to the "polls" they can't.

[jfmxl]

09:04 PM on 12/05/2007

TV is that drug.

I apologize for answering my own question.

[jfmxl]

09:02 PM on 12/05/2007

words % speaker
18936 100.00% NPR Transcript 4 December
4547 24.01% Moderator
2938 15.52% Edwards
2682 14.16% Clinton
2633 13.90% Obama
2179 11.51% Dodd
1871 09.88% Biden
1451 07.66% Kucinich
635 03.35% Gravel
0 00.00% Richardson

They ought to call it National Puppet Radio since they dance at the ends of the same strings as the MSM.

"Bona Fide candidates have raised at least a million dollars to pay the MSM in ad time to play."

Unbelievably everyone has accepted the MSM's protection racket : "You gonna anny up, punk, or do we break your legs like Mickey Gravel?"

Mike Gravel is the ONLY Demoblican candidate who would end the war, bring ALL American troops home from Iraq, within 120 days of taking office.

I won't vote for anyone who won't make the same pledge.

Cannot "promise" to do so by 2013?
What drugs are the rest of us Americans taking?