When Debates Get Out of Hand

I call myself a Democrat, but being an International Politics major, I still have a pretty big interest in politics.  This November will be voting in my FIRST election, and I want to make sure I do it right.  Although I agree with little that the republican candidates have to say, I enjoy watching the debates. In the past week, I have watched two debates, both happening in Florida.  The questions have been so interesting, my personal favorite was when the candidates were asked about a national language, talking about how all of them want English to be the national language, but how Gingrich and Romney are sending out campaign advertisements in Spanish. Check out the responses below:

I think the video makes a good point, and says a lot about rhetoric.  Usually in debates, you see candidates biting each others heads off. But this is one of the few examples where the actually agree. After listening to Gingrich speak, Romney quickly agrees with Gingrich. Hold on to your seat kids, this rarely happens.                                              

I was pretty interesting to see if all debates have been like this, because well, I can’t lie, this is the first week I’m REALLY trying to follow them.  I guess it’s hard to follow something that I’ve never really had any reason to think about before.  So I started doing some research.  During the Iowa debates, which occurred around the Christmas season, show something of the exactly opposite behavior.  Check out this next video:

Republicans' mudslinging turns off voters - Americas - Al Jazeera English

 

So most of the debate has been completely negative.  This just once again proves how modern rhetoric is the dominant type.  No one listens to each other, except when it's convient too.  To me, that doesn't make me want to vote for any of them.  They all need to step back, think about what others are saying, and try to make this election less negative-because in the end, the least negative candidate probably has the best shot at winning.