I like to listen…
Illinois was the site of the Lincoln-Douglas debates–popularly thought to be a high point in American political oratory. For a sobering commentary on these debates, you should read The Good Citizen by Michael Schudson.
Political debates today are a far different animal, but I contend that they are just as politically useful–perhaps more so. A televised debate allows the modern voter to integrate diverse messages–from emotional images to logical propositions. Televised debates offer a rich political experience. Long-time readers of Rhetorica know that I have a dim view of television’s handling of civic affairs. I believe televised debates challenge my pessimism.
(Certainly the format, moderating, and commentary surrounding a debate will affect its quality and political utility. But, for the most part, even a mess of a debate allows us to glean some politically useful knowledge.)
All of that’s a long-winded introduction to what I really want to say: I hope Alan Keyes decides to run for the Senate in Illinois because I’d love to see an Obama-Keyes debate. Inflate the couch, pop a cold one, and kick back for one hell of an oratorical rumble!
I voted for Obama in the primary, but if Keyes decides to run, I’ll have to go back into the “undecided” category. Both Kerry and Bush were here at the “tip of the spear” yesterday, and having watched their speeches back to back on TV yesterday (Kerry’s was invitation only - guess I’m not a “True Believer” and too much hassle to see POTUS), I can assure everyone that we will not be witness to Lincoln-Douglas, or Clay or Webster this fall in the presidential debates. On Charlie Rose last week, a Dem speechwriter, Lawrence O’Donnell, Jr. (guess he is the son of the first JFK’s minion) said all speeches were geared to “soundbites” suitable for TV. Deal with it, people - we are in the age of dumbing down.
Rebecca…well, then, you’ll probably find a Keyes-Obama debate very useful