GOP Debates. Are they necessary?

The 2012 GOP Presidential Primary has recently finished its 17^th debate with four candidates remaining. This election has had more debates than any other primary in recent US history. The question still stands: Has there been too many debates? Are they relevant and do they make a difference? I believe that the amount of debates is slightly excessive yet they still play an important role in this race and more debates should continue to be scheduled.

Debates are an excellent way for voters hear and watch a candidate in action. Voters learn of the Candidates’ views on important current issues such as health care, foreign policy, and federal budgeting. Debates also show a candidate’s ability to respond under pressure and on his feet. It is a great way to narrow down candidates. Take for example Rick Perry’s performance in the Iowa debates. When Rick Perry first announced his bid for the GOP nomination he sky rocketed in the polls and even topped the then and current front runner, Mitt Romney. However he soon begins to make mistakes. In one debate in Michigan, Perry had a complete brainfreeze and couldn’t remember one of the three federal agencies he wanted to eliminate. This was a really bad showing on his part. If it wasn’t for the debates most voters would not have seen and realized how bad a debater his is. Obama is an excellent debater and a GOP nominee like Perry would not have stood a chance.

Debates also give lesser known candidates a chance to step up and be heard. Personally I had no idea who Rick Santorum was or his political views until the GOP debates started.  After the Iowa caucus (which we now know he won), he has gotten more questions directed at him and more attention from his rivals at debates. Thanks to this new attention, according to a CBS reporter, Santorum was even deemed a winner at the January 19^th South Carolina debate. Thanks to his success in debates he has risen in the polls. 

A recent article published by CBS news stated that almost every 2 South Carolina voters out of 3 claimed that “recent Republican presidential debates played an important factor in their decision.”Also the article states, “Sixty-four percent said the debates were an important factor for them; just 34 percent said they were not.” This helps explain the recent and huge victory for Newt Gingrich in South Carolina. So let’s rewind to the last debate held on January 19^th, forty-eight hours before the primary. Gingrich was making head way in the polls but still wasn’t the front runner. Then minutes into the debate CNN’s News anchor John King asked Gingrich about the recent statement his ex-wife made to an ABC reporter. People in the audience were thrilled with Gingrich’s loose cannon answer as he let King know what he really thought of the news media. This debate gave Gingrich the jump he needed to win South Carolina.

In short, I believe that debates are a very important and informative part of the election process here in the United States. I believe they should be continued throughout the rest of the primary as the candidates are narrowed down to help the voters make an informative choice. Plus all these debates are good practice for when the GOP nominee has to face the incumbent President of the United States in the general election.