SAVE DEMOCRACY; DITCH DEBATES

The Curious Nixon-Humphrey Debate (LA Times, August 20, 2003)

Fresh from Austria, a socialist country, Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to become a Republican after listening to "the debates of Hubert Humphrey and Richard Nixon when they were debating for the presidential race," or so he told television talk show host Bill O'Reilly in May 2001.

" Hubert Humphrey spoke about things I heard in Austria under socialism."

But there was no presidential debate in 1968. Although Humphrey challenged Nixon to a debate, Nixon, who won the election, demurred.

As Mr. Humphrey's campain manager, I distinctly recall a debate. However, that was a mock election in our 2nd grade class--Humphrey won by the way.

This does remind us though of one more invaluable service that George W. Bush can do the republic: refuse to debate. They are meaningless charades which are judged almost entirely on theatrics. To the extent that they significantly influence actual voting--a somewhat dubious proposition--their influence has been malefic:

1960--JFK defeats Richard Nixon after the VP's non-telegenic appearance.

1976--Gerald Ford loses one of the closest election in American history after accidentally freeing Poland.

1992--George H.W. Bush loses a winnable election after pretty openly demonstrating his impatience with the debate process and his justified contempt for his opponents

Stop the madness. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 20, 2003 1:26 PM