Well summer is coming to an end. Now begins a new season of politicking and televised debates, both in the U.S. and Canada. Don’t get me wrong, I think that televised debates have a place in letting potential voters know about candidates’ policies and their ability to express themselves in a clear and concise manner. Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy were two of the first presidential candidates to have a televised debate. Due to its novelty at the time, millions of Americans and Canadians watched the debate. Kennedy took full advantage of his good looks (i.e. formidable charisma) and speaking style to hammer Nixon in that debate. Kennedy’s photogenic qualities definitely helped him to go on to win his presidential race. Nixon’s image did not come across at all well on the television screen, although he was a good debater.
With the advent of social media and other avenues for displaying one’s politics, the role of television and radio have somewhat diminished. While watching a couple of recent political debates, it seemed like each debater was attempting to get that one memorable stinger against the others — that one 30 second notable quote. Then, it’s up to the media gurus to analyze the results, proclaiming winners and losers. Needless-to-say, political commentators have their biases just like the rest of us. Debating results usually don’t affect the choices of the majority of voters who have already made up their minds or vote along party lines like the robots they are. Candidates today prepare carefully for such debates with the help of media experts, image and speech consultants. Some may even take acting courses. Indeed, it’s often not what you say that counts, but how you say it.
Let’s face it. Television is old school. Most of our younger voters, including those between 25 and 40 years old, will obtain their information through various forms of social media. They do not watch televised news, listen to radio talk shows or read newspapers. The declining ratings for televised debates only highlights this major change. Today’s voters don’t have time to sit through long drawn out debates. When it comes to elections and party politics, all they want are short blips. The “me generation” is just too busy multitasking nowadays.
FROLITICKS 
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