When Trump won the Republican nomination I had a hard time understanding why as I personally felt that his debate performance was mediocre. Regarding the current Democrat primary can anyone really say that Biden’s debate performance was better than the rest of the candidates?
This has persuaded me to conclude that more often than not the debates in the end are not that important to most voters. Am I wrong?
the debates beat the billionaire
that’s pretty influential
Debates are a way for candidates with that particular skill to show off, and those who don’t to flounder.
I think their relevance is greatly overstated. At this point, it’s just continuous free airtime for whichever candidate can steal focus. It’s a stage for the spectacle, playing to their individual audiences.
I definitely acknowledge that one cannot be a complete flop. But would you acknowledge that Biden did not in any way outshine all the other Dem candidates?
Smyrna
6
The debates are very influential. When they come on, i change the channel…immediately.
Personally I think it is a misnomer to call them debates particularly when there is a plethora of candidates. In my opinion what they potentially can do is cause the downfall of a candidate who performs badly (e.g. Bloomberg) but they have very little real impact positively on a candidate who performs well.
Camp
8
I thought Warren did better than Biden and she isn’t going to be the lead name on the ticket.
The debates DID sink Bloomburg. This I agree with…otherwise mostly a wash.

I saw a bunch of Russian collusion liars with zero credibility debating.
DougBH
10
Ask Bloomberg how important the debates are.
Oryx
11
Is that why you think Bloomberg dropped out? The debates?
DougBH
12
I think that’s why he had to drop out. His ads online created one image, his debate performance created another.
Oryx
13
He dropped out because Democrats rejected him buying the nomination. No one chooses a president based on their debate skills.
DougBH
14
How well did you think Bloomberg did in the debates? Was his quick demise politically unrelated to that?
Oryx
15
I didn’t watch them, but I know he did very poorly. Still, I don’t think it had much to do with his demise. He’s a recent former Republican, an authoritarian, and was trying to buy the nomination. That’s what Democrats rejected, not his debate skills.