DENVER: In the media kit provided to journalists covering the first 2012 presidential debate by the host University of Denver: a white 100 per cent cotton baseball cap, Made in China; an aluminium water bottle, Made in China; a 1 GB pen drive, Made in China. Indeed, the recycled bag itself is - no surprises - Made in China.
Too bad then the debate is a tightly controlled, carefully moderated event. The scribe who spotted this would have loved to put some questions to candidates who have demonized outsourcing/China/India etc, but expect no such ambush when President Barack Obamaand Republican challenger Mitt Romney face-off at the University of Denver's Magness Arena on Wednesday night (6.30am IST, Thursday)
The debate is being moderated by 78-year old Jim Lehrer of PBS Newshour, a genial veteran of 11 such pow-wows who once likened hosting it to "walking down the blade of a knife." But those days are gone. Under the new rules, the Commission for Presidential Debate has intimated both candidates the broad topics they will be quizzed on: Three questions on the economy, one on health care, one on the role of government, and one on governing, constitute the fare for the evening, suggesting a bland, blunt 90-minute exercise that will rob the exchange of spontaneity or surprise, even though both candidates will look for that one electric sally or riposte (dubbed the "frozen moment") that will make headlines.
Located in the heart of continental United States, Denver got the nickname "Mile-High City" because its official elevation is exactly 1609 meters (5280 feet) above sea level. But there will be nothing rarified, much less stratospheric, about the exchanges. For the most part, down-to-earth, kitchen table matters are expected to dominate exchanges in these economically stricken times. In an exercise that often described in gladiatorial terms, both candidates are likely to be cautious and avoid making mistakes as they recite well-worn, copybook positions.
It's a shame because the event is being hosted at the University of Denver, a lively campus teeming with smart young people who would have loved to get a word in edgewise. But not only does the format restrict exchanges to the three men on stage (Debate II in New York's Hoffstra University two weeks from now will be in a town hall format), but there are fears that the debate will end up becoming as scripted as professional wrestling. "I don't think I'll be watching even on TV, much less go to the venue. We know their positions," said a graduate student pausing to catch his breath in a running trail in nearby Cherry Creek. Some 60 million viewers are expected to tune in nationwide.
Interest is far greater among senior citizens, who among whites at least support Romney in greater numbers and who believe Obama is mortgaging the country's future with excessive government spending. At a city club Pow-Pow in the Brown Palace Hotel where your correspondent was a panellist, there was intense curiosity about whether the rest of the world still regarded Obama with the same sense of romance it did in 2008, but there were no questions about foreign policy or the wars. Indeed, the first debate is all about domestic issues. Afghanistan, much less Iraq, is not even a blip here.
Traditionally, the first debate is said to help the challenger simply by virtue of elevating him to the same stage as the incumbent (unless they are both newbies). But studies indicate the debates themselves do not substantially change voting patterns. In fact, most of the electorate has already made up its mind and there are few "undecideds". Polls show that Obama has a slight lead over Romney, including in key battleground states (of which Colorado is one), but it is not insurmountable.
President Obama has been ribbed relentlessly about his reliance on teleprompters for smooth delivery. One cartoon some months back showed him reading endearments to his wife Michelle from a teleprompter at the end of his bed. But even his critics concede that he is a fluent speaker with an encyclopaedic grasp of issues, and it will be hard to trip him up. The only fear in his camp is that he will be too long-winded and professorial in a format where "short and crisp works" better. They also want him to emote and "feel the pain" of the people.
Romney, on his part is reported to have put in hard work preparing to trip up the president, including lining up a "series of zingers." Scribes have speculated and spoofed on possible take downs, including such pedestrian lines as "Last time, we heard about hope and change. This time, our only hope is a change!" But at the end of the night, substance rather than snappy comebacks, is expected to be of consequence.
What: First US presidential election 2012 debate Where: University of Denver Magness Centre When: 6.30am IST Thursday Contestants: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney Moderator: PBS News Hour host 78-year old Jim Lehrer
Post a Comment