2012 Presidential Debate Schedule
Information found at http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2012-presidential-debate-schedule/
TV Channels– Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, as well as all cable news channels including CNN, Fox News and MSNBC among others.
Live Stream– Each debate will be streamed live online.
October 3, 2012/ Topic: Domestic policy
Air Time: 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location:University of Denverin Denver, Colorado
Sponsor:Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants: President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney
Moderator:Jim Lehrer (Host ofNewsHouron PBS)
The debate will focus on domestic policy and be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on topics to be selected by the moderator and announced several weeks before the debate.
The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the topic.
October 11, 2012
Vice Presidential
/ Topic:Foreign and domestic policy
Air Time:9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location:Centre Collegein Danville, Kentucky
Sponsor:Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants: Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan
Moderator:Martha Raddatz (ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent)
The debate will cover both foreign and domestic topics and be divided into nine time segments of approximately 10 minutes each. The moderator will ask an opening question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the question.
October 16, 2012
/ Topic:Town meeting format including foreign and domestic policy
Air Time:9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location:Hofstra Universityin Hempstead, New York
Sponsor:Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants: President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney
Moderator:Candy Crowley (CNN Chief Political Correspondent)
The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which citizens will ask questions of the candidates on foreign and domestic issues. Candidates each will have two minutes to respond, and an additional minute for the moderator to facilitate a discussion. The town meeting participants will be undecided voters selected by the Gallup Organization.
October 22, 2012
/ Topic:Foreign policy
Air Time:9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location:Lynn Universityin Boca Raton, Florida
Sponsor:Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants: President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney
Moderator:Bob Schieffer (Host ofFace the Nationon CBS)
The format for the debate will be identical to the first presidential debate and will focus on foreign policy.
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Date:
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2012 Debate Scorecard
Circle the correct date for the debate that you viewed:
October 3, 2012 October 11, 2012 October 16, 2012
October 22, 2012
Category / Barack Obama / Mitt Romney1. Goals
2. Appeal to Base
3. Appeal to Swing Voters
4. Control Agenda
5. Personal Exchanges
6. Content of Answers
7. Leadership
8. Zingers and Blunders
9. Open
10. Close
TOTAL SCORE:
To which candidate did you give the highest score? Provide at least 2 reasons why this candidate was the better debater according to your results.
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How to Grade the Debates
http://debate2012.lynn.edu/curriculum/pdfs/appendix-e.pdf
This scorecard is a subjective evaluation for a debate, in that you will assign points to the candidates based on your own perception of how they performed. However, this scorecard uses measurements that are widely agreed upon by analysts and scholars as keys to winning political debates. The 10 categories used to assign points to the candidates are:
1. Goals
Ask yourself: Did the candidates do what they needed to do? Candidates have goals going into the debate such as appealing to older voters or alleviating concerns about an unpopular vote.
2. Appeal to base
Ask yourself: Did the candidates firm up their base of support? Core party members are the ones most likely to vote and vote for members of their own political party. So, candidates must make sure to unite and energize their core supporters. The Democratic base includes African American, younger, well educated, and urban voters in the Northeast and West Coast, as well as key constituencies like union members, teachers, Jewish voters, and environmentalists. The Republican base includes gun owners, white men, and rural voters in the South and Rocky Mountain States, as well as key constituencies like Christian evangelicals and business owners. It is virtually impossible to win an election and not carry in overwhelming numbers one’s core party voters.
3. Appeal to swing voters
Ask yourself: Did the candidates appeal to undecided and swing voters? This is important because many elections are close and undecided and swing voters are often the key to victory. Did the candidates connect with voters?
4. Control the agenda
Ask yourself: Which candidate controlled the agenda of the debate? Sometimes the best defense is a good offense and a leader will set the tone of the debate, stay on message, and make his or her positions known rather than responding to the opponent.
5. Personal exchanges
Ask yourself: When the candidates addressed one another personally, who got the best of the exchange? Inevitably, there will be some head-to-head disagreements and comparisons during the debates, and such moments tend to be very important to voters and the media. Also, they are often memorable debates moments.
6. Content of answers
Ask yourself: Did the candidates answer the questions and do so in an accurate, knowledgeable, and confident manner? Candidates must demonstrate their understanding of the issues, have a clear vision for the country, and not appear to be too hesitant or evasive in tackling tough questions. They must also make a connection to voters.
7. Leadership
Ask yourself: Which candidate looked presidential? Candidates must project leadership in both demeanor/appearance and in their answers, while avoiding looking nervous, tired, and insincere. Because elections are, to a degree, popularity contests whereby personality is the key, candidates must present themselves as leaders.
8. Zingers and blunders
Ask yourself: Did the candidates deliver catchy lines or make embarrassing mistakes? The most memorable moments in debates are often witty one-liners or embarrassing gaffes. The element of surprise – achieved through an unexpected, unforgettable, or bold statement – often helps candidates achieve the “wow factor.” These zingers and blunders will be repeated by the media, and those voters who did not watch the debate may be influenced by these moments.
9. Open
Ask yourself: Were the opening comments of the candidates strong and memorable? First impressions are lasting and debates are no exceptions, as the opening allows candidates to set the tone.
10. Close
Ask yourself: Did the candidates conclude the debate on a high note and with a memorable closing remark? The final remarks are often what people remember and a good debater can wrap up the debate with an effective close.