2012 GOP Primary Debate Schedule: Speak Up About Too Many Debates (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | As a former political consultant, and as a political historian, I attempt to look throughout American political history to find situations to learn lessons from. Right now, we are on the cusp of a political mess that we should learn from, and act on, right now. The number of GOP Primary debates needs to be cut down before they drag our political system down.

From May 5, 2011 until March 19, 2012, there are 24 GOP Primary debates on the schedule. To say that the upcoming TV schedule is inundated with debates would be an understatement. This is up by three debates from the 2008 Election. I remember having discussions with my peers at that time and finding agreement that 21 debates were too many since the traditional primary schedule would hold around twelve debates.

First off, having too many debates is stressful for the candidates. With the amount of campaigning that they already have to do, too many debates can burn candidates out. At the same time, this burns out the viewers as there is another debate every time that they turn around. While the debates give extra information about the candidates, everything becomes rehash after a dozen debates.

By the time that political commentators are done arguing over who won a debate, it is time for the next one. Every week, the Internet is flooded with articles that pick apart every comment made by each candidate in the most recent debate. We end up having a few days of reprieve and then it starts anew.

Remember, the actual election is still a year off. Do we really need to wear ourselves out with the amount of information? Do we need to hear the candidates answer the same questions asked four different ways over a twelve month period? By the time the election comes, how many voters will be so bored with the political coverage that they are turned off to voting?

How do we send a message to the GOP and the network? Don't watch the debates on TV. Having a few debates in a row that are not making money through advertising will send a quick message. Don't worry about missing information due to the fact that there will be hundreds of articles to read about the debate the next day. Also, all of the same questions will be asked in a few months at another debate.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111027/us_ac/10305059_2012_gop_primary_debate_schedule_speak_up_about_too_many_debates

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