Assignment 5 - Importance of Presidential Debate

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Importance of Presidential Debate 2012

Presidential debate is a debate that occurs between two presidential candidates. Generally these debates take place between the leaders of the two largest parties in the United States (Currently

Democratic Party and Republican Party). It is a necessity for the leaders of the both party to engage in the debate and discuss current issues. The topics that are covered in the debate are often the most controversial issues of the time. Both candidates give their opinion on it and provide with solutions to overcome the odds. Elections are nearly decided on these debates, the candidate who provides positive solution often wins the election. These debates are held few days before the elections and once both parties have nominated their leaders. These debates are usually held in a university hall with citizens as audience. Many presidential debates have taken place for starting from 1960’s. Recently, in 2012 a presidential debate took place between current president Obama and opposition leader Mitt Romney.

The first ever debate to take place in front of a camera was between John Kennedy and Richard

Nixon. This was the first debate to be broadcasted on the United States television. Compared to

2012 debate between Obama and Romney many things were different back then. Firstly, the camera used in Kennedy and Nixon debate was black and white, and the quality of the video was really poor. Technological equipments back then was not as powerful as compared to that of today. There was a powerful light in from of Kennedy and Nixon, due to which it was clearly visible that they both were sweating. Moreover the issues back then was totally different compared to today’s issues. There were many topics covered in these debates, from Soviet Union to the issues in middle-east countries. Soviet Union was the biggest threat to the United States sovergnity. At the time of these debates there were many tensions going on between Soviet

Union and the United States over who is the superpower in the world. Mostly, the debates covered issues regarding Soviet Union and what both candidates were going to do to stop them

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Importance of Presidential Debate 2012 and make United States the solo super power in the world. They also discussed about the tension going on in the gulf countries and what role should United States play in it. The other major issue that was discussed in this debate was of the then economical strength of the US. After the debates it was clear that Kennedy was going to win the election. Nixon did not bring up any positive solutions to the problems that United States were facing back then.

In 2012, a debate took place between the leaders Democratic Party and Republican Party. This debate occurred in 3 stages and on 3 different occasions few days prior to the election. The main point that was discussed in the debates was current economical crisis, rising of China and Iran’s nuclear weapon program. The main focus of these debates surrounded around current economical crisis that United States is facing. Both leaders tried to provide a solution on how to bring the economy up and create more jobs for the US citizens. The second major discussion of the debate was rise of China, which is considered as a future threat to the United States. They discussed on how to stop rising domination of China in the World and what should they do to stop it. This is where Romney provided some baseless solution, which had no meaning to it. The last major issue to be discussed was nuclear weapon program of Iran. United States was really concerned about the nuclear weapon program of Iran as they thought it was going to cause instability in the middle-east. This debate was very close; Romney clearly won the first debate while Obama won other two debates.

Comparing debate of Kennedy and Nixon to Obama and Romney it is clear that due to technological advances today’s debate is more interesting and clear to watch. The video and sound quality was much better in 2012 debate compared to 60’s. The topics that were discussed were also totally different, but the point to be noticed here is, back in 60’s it was Soviet Union

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Importance of Presidential Debate 2012 and in 2012 it is China. It is also clear that United States shows major interest in gulf countries whether it be in 1960’s or in 2012. Finally, the main focus of these debates is always current economy and what are the leaders going to do to take that economy forward.

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