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12th
APR
Five Myths about the Leaders’ Debates
Posted by jpammett under All, Election 2011, Election 2011 Campaign strategy, Election 2011 Faculty links, Election 2011 Media commentary
- MYTH It is a pivotal moment in the campaign.
REALITY. There are no pivotal moments in most campaigns.
2. MYTH It is the time in the campaign when people start paying attention.
REALITY People who watch the debates are more likely to be people who are interested in politics in the first place.
3. MYTH Leaders in the debates are vulnerable to making a big mistake.
REALITY All the leaders usually do pretty well in the debates, because they are so well prepared, and the questions are so predictable.
4, MYTH Leaders in the debates are trying to get voters to switch over to them.
REALITY The debates are all about reinforcement, where the idea is not to deter people from voting for their party or candidate if they are otherwise inclined to do so.
5. MYTH Debates have a big impact on the election result.
REALITY The debates have very little impact on the election result.
