Learn about the planning and staging of political debates.

· Rate the Debates · Staging

· 2004 Debate Preview · Debate Moderators

Topics & Standards Covered: elections, campaigns, mass media, political communication, political parties, public agenda, public policy.
 Related Lesson:  Historic Debates

 High School Students' Views:  videos of three debate sites, by high school students from the local communities.

	This year, there are three proposed debates for the presidential candidates and one proposed debate for the vice presidential candidates. C-SPAN will cover these debates in their entirety along with several state and gubernatorial debates. You can also watch archived debates and forums from 2003 & 2004 with the Democratic Presidential candidates. Use the criteria on the Rate the Debates worksheet to rate a candidates performances and check out our debate questions to start your class discussion Watch Debates 1st Presidential Debate Vice Presidential Debate 2nd Presidential Debate 3rd Presidential Debate    Transcripts and other debate information (C-SPAN)   Teaching Tools  Rate the Debates Worksheet In Class Questions Archived Debates

	Staging a presidential debate is no simple task. The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates organizes the debates, but the candidates and their campaigns play a great part in finalizing the details. What needs to be decided? The setting and location, the dates, participants, the format, and the topics all must be determined. Then, attention must be given to details such as background, lighting, and, even, height differentials between the candidates. Janet Brown ( watch clip) George Farah ( watch clip) 1. What three criteria must a candidate meet in order to be eligible to participate in a debate? 2. In 1980, incumbent President Jimmy Carter refused to participate in a debate. Why? What was the reaction of organizers for the debate? 1. Who should be in charge of organizing, producing, and running the presidential debates? 2. To what degree should the candidates play a role in deciding the behind-the-scenes of the debates?

	The Commission on Presidential Debates invites the candidates, but can't force them to participate. Because the Commission wants eligible candidates to participate, it must negotiate with the campaigns. Watch the clips below to learn about some of the candidates' terms for the 2004 presidential debates. Janet Brown ( watch clip) James Fallows ( watch clip) 1. What are some reasons why specific dates are chosen for the debates? 2. Is the Commission on Presidential Debates part of the government? Why or why not? 3. What criteria does the Commission use to select moderators? 4. During a presidential debate does a candidate have notes or other people/aids for assistance and/or support? 1. According to James Fallows, what format provides for the best debate? Do you agree? 2. What debate format would Senator John Kerry likely prefer? What debate format would George W. Bush likely prefer? 3. How would the addition of Ralph Nader affect the debates? 4. How will the location of the debates affect the candidates decisions on whether or not to attend all the debates?

	While candidates have used debates to deliver their messages to voters, moderators and questioners have the ability to control the content and flow of a debate. What qualities should a debate moderator have, and who is qualified to be a moderator? In a 2004 Democratic primary debate, moderator Ted Koppel's first question led to critisism from debate watchers. Watch Clip (2 min. 30 sec.) Questions for Analysis 1. Who else might be an appropriate moderator? Why was Ted Koppel criticized? Why might he have asked this question? 2. Should members of the media be debate moderators? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having media in these roles? 3. What should the moderators do to facilitate the debate? 4. Learn more about the proposed 2004 presidential debate moderators. Make predictions about approaches they'll take.