Here’s Why I’m a Bad Debate Watcher

membership ticker

Autocratic forces are ascendant.

Truth-telling independent media is one remaining bulwark against an autocrat’s unrestrained exercise of power. At a time when billionaire owners of corporate media are making accommodations to political leaders, our nonprofit newsroom cannot be bought, bent, or broken. Depend on it, and please stand with us.

Autocratic forces are ascendant in America. But truth-telling independent media is one remaining bulwark against the unrestrained exercise of power. At a time when billionaire owners of corporate media are making accommodations to political leaders, our nonprofit newsroom cannot be bought or broken. Please stand with us.

Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.

Not that anyone cares, but I think I realized tonight why I have such a hard time judging political debates. There are two reasons:

The candidates frequently drift off into mini-stump speeches. When that happens, I tune out. I’ve heard it all before. But for ordinary viewers, this might very well be the part of the debates that makes the most sense to them.
The big “moments” also don’t do much for me. But that’s the stuff that ends up on a 24/7 loop the next day on cable news. By not paying much attention to these highlights, I’m missing out on the things that drive a lot of the post-debate reaction.

This is all in addition to the obvious fact that I react more to policy stuff than to affect and demeanor. Put it all together, and I’m hopelessly out of touch with the common man. Sad but true.