Be sure to check out “Rate the Debates” following tonight’s debate! As per FreePress.net:
While anchors and pundits concentrate on how to spin the candidates’ performances in the upcoming debates, Free Press and the Tyndall Report want you to rate the media themselves. We have created a “Citizens Media Scorecard” so viewers can respond in real-time to the performance of the debate moderators.
Add comment October 15th, 2008
By Billy Hallowell, VoterWatch
Earlier today, we released Dick Morris’ commentary on this week’s presidential debate. Now, we’re excited to release the second round of perspective from one of America’s most trusted research and civic engagement organizations — Public Agenda.
Public Agenda can always be relied on to present a fair and balanced look at the issues, which is why VoterWatch is honored to have the organization on board for our Presidential Debates Project. Today, Scott Bittle (Executive Vice-President of Public Agenda) released commentary on the second presidential debate. Bittle had this to say about this the town hall-style forum:
Despite the criticism of the town hall format, in many ways the second presidential debate was more substantive than the first session, and dramatically more so than the vice presidential debate last week. (I mean the real one, not the SNL version). Political junkies often say the town hall debate just regurgitates old news, but for many voters who haven’t been paying attention and are just starting to think about the candidates, that’s useful information. (Even more useful, if we may be so bold, is our Voter’s Survival Kit, which points out many of the facts that the candidates skated over in the debate.)
In addition to insightful editorial and video commentary (using the VoterWatch media player, of course), Public Agenda also released a more general page devoted to the presidential debates. This interactive hub provides information on each debate, video commentary using the VoterWatch media player, links to debate transcripts, information on and links to Public Agenda’s insanely useful Voter Survival Kit (non-partisan election guides on a variety of subjects) and much more. Be sure to check out Public Agenda’s “Debates 2008″ page. You can also click below to watch Bittle’s commentary on the second presidential debate:
2 comments October 9th, 2008
For each of the debates, Dick Morris has been providing commentary using the VoterWatch media player. Today, we’re happy to report the official release of his thoughts and perspectives on Tuesday’s debate. With the town hall setting in mind, Morris offers some intriguing commentary on both McCain and Obama. As always, Morris’ perspective is more than interesting. Be sure to visit DickMorris.com and click below to view his commentary:
3 comments October 9th, 2008
Things have really changed, haven’t they? In a very short time, the opportunity for political engagement has grown exponentially. From the limited ability to merely watch televised debates years ago to the evolution of prime access to technologically-induced discussions using various forms of social media, the landscape continues to morph. The 2008 Presidential Debates Project signifies this important shift in access and ideology.
VoterWatch is excited to announce our 2008 Presidential Debates Project - an initiative intended to aggregate multiple perspectives and ideologies, while working to engage the American electorate. This project is unique in that it brings together individuals and institutions from a wide range of political inclinations. How will it work, you ask? Using the VoterWatch media player, some of the political sector’s best and brightest individuals and non-profit organizations will comment and blog within footage of the U.S. presidential debates (yes, we said within). For more information on the how this works be sure to visit our web site.
On September 26th (the date of the first presidential debate between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain) and on the days following, Dick Morris, Cynthia McKinney and many others will be joining VoterWatch in providing their commentary and perspective surrounding the debates. Be sure to stay tuned over the next week as we roll out more information on this important initiative!
Add comment September 18th, 2008
