Since the debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney happened last night (10/03/12), I thought it would be interesting to know the history of political debates.
The first organized, televised presidential political debate was not until 1960, between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
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However there were senate debates going as far back as the one between Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen A. Douglas in 1858. These were true, face-to-face debates, with no moderator; the candidates took turns to open each debate with a one-hour speech, then the other candidate had an hour and a half to rebut, and finally the first candidate closed the debate with a half-hour response
Great history fact! Thanks for sharing. It would be interesting to watch a debate in the format; trying to hear a point of view for an hour, and then another's point of view for an hour; seem long and boring. The mediator was a great addition as it's role helps the debate a great deal.
ReplyDeleteI took a few moments to view clips of the first debate between Kennedy and Nixon on you tube. Verbal jousting in the debate format is very clever in so many ways; you can note the views of the debaters, observe the body language and see immediate reactions on opinions of major matters.
Sevylle Wright
I feel like now a days with out a moderator things might get a little out of control... although it might be interesting to see! I love the history of stuff like this! Thanks for sharing.
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