10 Facts About US Presidential Debate

Presidential debates in the United States are a well-established tradition, a clear pattern of conversation and, most importantly, respect between the candidates for each other. Here are some facts about how this part of political culture was formed.

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1. Not required, but desirable

No law in the United States obliges presidential candidates to participate in televised debates. However, this is an integral part of the presidential race before each election of the head of state, therefore, voters would perceive a refusal to participate negatively. After all, it is in the course of such a discussion that race leaders can clearly outline the priorities of their policies and plans for the development of the country.

2. Long story

The culture of political debate in the United States has more than 150 years of history. Back in 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas met seven times to determine which of them would be the best senator. In 1948, the first political debates took place in a format somewhat closer to the modern one.

3. Appearance comes first

In 1960, presidential candidates Democrat John Kennedy and Richard Nixon debuted for the first time on television. The younger and more energetic Kennedy, already then realizing the influence of television on voters, was able to win the votes of viewers. Nixon, who had been in the hospital shortly before and refused to apply makeup, had a tired look. It only emphasized his pale gray suit, which, unlike the black Kennedy suit, looked bad on a black and white screen. Nixon won the victory only those voters who listened to the debate on the radio.

4. Record views

In total, three rounds of debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and one round between Tim Kaine and Mike Pence attracted 259 viewers on TV and online (US population 000 as of 000). Americans generally perceive television debates as an exciting show; they often watch them with friends or even in bars. The next day it is the main topic of discussion in every office.

5. Three and a half attempts

Now, US presidential candidates meet in three rounds of televised debates. Separately, debates are held for candidates for vice-presidency, announced together with their candidates. It is the vice-president, under the constitution, who assumes the duties of the head of state in the event of the death or impeachment of the commander-in-chief of the country.

6. Hall participation

Voters can send their questions to candidates in advance, and debaters can choose some of them. Questions can be voiced by viewers from the audience. They are modeled, but there are few clear instructions on how to choose a question. Candidates should not ask each other, but at the last debate, Clinton and Trump constantly turned to each other.

7. Clear structure

Candidates may stand behind the podium or sit in front of the audience. The format allows for two minutes to answer. Who will answer first is decided by tossing a coin. Candidates alternate answering subsequent questions. At the end, politicians can make closing remarks. Colored lamps help debate participants navigate time: green lights up 30 seconds before the end, yellow 15 seconds before the end, and red 5 seconds before the end. A beep indicates the end of time.

8. Not unaggregated

Television debates are conducted by a non-partisan organization, and they are led during various rounds by turns from various channels. Broadcasting is carried out on all major television channels of the country and on the Internet.

9. First a person - then a politician

Experts advise debaters to exercise empathy and remember that people make emotional choices first and are guided by facts second. For this reason, the moments that go down in history are not the moments where candidates present logical arguments or numbers, but the moments when Bill Clinton looked at his watch as if he could not wait for the end, or when Ronald Reagan, at 73, joked about age issues: “I don’t I will make an issue out of age during this campaign. I will not exploit my opponent’s youth and inexperience for political purposes.”

10. Success in debate does not guarantee victory

According to polls of sociologists, the majority of viewers of the Trump-Clinton televised debates gave the victory to the representative of the Democratic Party. The votes were also distributed during the elections themselves. However, this did not help her win because of the specific system of the institute of voters in the United States, which is designed to balance the influence of smaller and larger states on the results of presidential elections.

The original column is published on the website.Voice of America".

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