Readers weigh in on the impact of presidential debates
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 9:25am
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Poll question: The November 2024 presidential election is still more than a year away, but the campaign season has been in full swing already for months. On the evening of Aug. 23, the GOP hosted its first of several presidential candidates debates, though some key competitors may not participate. Will (did) you watch the debate?
Results: The majority of DI News poll respondents said they watched the GOP presidential debate on Aug. 23. Many respondents also commented that political debates can influence which candidate they vote for.
Yes, I will (did) watch the debate (65%)
No, I won’t (did not) watch the debate 31%
Other 4%
Comments: Do debates like this influence your voting decisions? Read the full list of comments for this and other surveys on the website at bit.ly/45vehL9.
• Sometimes, when I watch the Democratic debates.
• Only by exposing me to “unknown” candidates.
• Yes, I feel you can see some of their true nature.
• No, because no one ever answers the moderator’s questions!
• This one did not but yes, overall they can have an influence.
• They can help if between two candidates.
• Absolutely. Some candidates are propelled by big money machines and we hear about them all the time. Others are serious candidates with potential who will only have an opportunity to shine in real time at those debates. We need to remember we can change the course of an election by voting at primaries. In SC, you can vote even if you do not support the party. Please show up at SC primary and vote for the best candidate!
• Not that much but I occasionally find myself saying, that’s a good point.
• Yes. Allows me to learn more about the candidates’ views and plans to reunite our country.
• I think debates during the primary season [debates] are particularly important as we chose the candidate to represent the party. For me, debates between parties are not as persuasive, because each party is so entrenched.
• Yes. They are the most exposure to the candidates and tell a lot about them.
• Somewhat. I think it’s a chance for underdogs to gain traction.
• No. They are staged and devolve into shouting matches.
• Depends on what is said.
• I am undecided, so I look forward to what they have to say.
Next week: What books had an impact on your life?
As adults, most of us have settled into certain genres when we read for entertainment. Some are mystery fans, some enjoy historical fiction, some autobiographical, and some enjoy the classics. But when we were in high school, much of our reading choices were made for us by teachers. Sometimes we read the book begrudgingly.
Sometimes we were surprised by how much we enjoyed the teacher’s selection. How did those reading assignments impact your future book choices? What book did you read in high school that surprised or influenced you in some way? Share your thoughts at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Influential_Books by Sunday, Sept. 3, at 5 p.m.