If not a live public debate, how about an ongoing debate by video blog? Have KELO and the Rapid City Journal post 20 questions on a dedicated blog for Johnson and Dykstra. Johnson gets first response on half, Dysktra gets first response on the other half. They videotape their initial responses—no fancy graphics or editing, no background music, no other speakers, just each candidate in front of a plain background, speaking directly to us. Each candidate posts the response to YouTube and embeds the video in the debate blog. The candidates then proceed to record and post responses and rebuttals. A general schedule:
- September 15: First ten responses.
- October 1: Second batch of responses.
- October 11: First ten rebuttals.
- October 21: Second batch of rebuttals.
- November 1: Closing statements.
KELO could compile and broadcast the clips. The Rapid City Journal could print transcripts. And the video debate blog would give us a valuable archive of the two men hashing out their principles and policy positions in something close to head-to-head interaction.
There: problem solved. Let's have that debate!
I thought Johnson had trouble with one of his arms. How can he then type on a video blog? Would it be live? I don't understand how this would work otherwise because anyone could be typing in answers and questions.
ReplyDeleteI thought about a written blog and had the same concern you do, Anon. That's why I suggest a video blog. Each candidate records a response on video, posts it to YouTube, and then embeds that video in the blog post. Both camps have camcorders (Johnson can borrow the one his campaign operatives use at Dykstra events), and posting to YouTube and embedding in blogs is easy.
ReplyDeleteCory -
ReplyDeleteI think that Johnson is going to do that this year - except they're going to be 30 seconds long plastered all over the TV.
And that's the only type of campaigning his staff is going to let him do.
Johnson is done!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm voting for someone who can actually do the job I'm hiring him for.
Why should we need to make these accommodations??! Do you suppose they will let him do this when he is rebutting a bill for South Dakota on the Senate floor?
ReplyDeleteThey might. Why not?
ReplyDeleteI am a dem. Voted for Johnson each year. This year.. not quite sure. If he can't debate on live TV, then how am I supposed to be convinced that he can debate when needed in Washington? I don't think they will let him do video blogs to get his point accrosed.
ReplyDeleteTim should take this time to get himself back to as close to as 100% he can get and then decide to run later. It's not fair that South Dakota should suffer by having a representative that isn't able to effectively communicate. To me, this would be a huge liability to the state if Tim was to get re-elected.
I'm not thrilled with Dykstra, but I will vote for the candidate who will communicate our needs and position, and at this point, that means no more votes for Tim Johnson. Some will say that is not fair, he suffered a medical condition, but I believe he should not have run if he's unable to do the whole job. Maybe he hasn't missed a vote since coming back, but how often has he addressed the US Senate Floor and how effective can he be if nobody can understand him at this point?
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly my point annon 6:23. Well said.
ReplyDeleteI have just recovered from a broken upper right arm, that because of the location of the break couldn't have a cast on it. There was two months that when I typed I had to use the "hunt and peck" method, with my left hand. I also had to reach all the way over to move the mouse with my left hand. It wasn't easy, but can be done.
ReplyDeleteI know Cory has to be for Johnson since he's a DEmocrat but I ask Cory "Would you want Mr. Johnson to be one of your college professors?"
ReplyDeleteWould you feel you're getting the best education when you have to struggle to understand his conversation?
The Senate is known for its debating forum and how will Mr. Johnson be able to handle this?
I'd be thrilled to have Senator Johnson as one of my profs -- he could help me with me e-Government research! He might also have some fresh perspectives on website accessibility for users with disabilities.
ReplyDeleteMore to the point of your question, Anon: Sure, put two profs before me, and all other things being equal, I'll pick the prof with the better communication skills.
Of course, all other things are rarely equal. A good prof brings intelligence, research skills, and empathy to the classroom (and office, and lab...). Same with a U.S. Senator: we need to look at the whole package. If you think all other factors are equal and plan to vote purely on speaking skills, have fun splitting your ticket between Dykstra and Obama.
As I said above, Johnson's ducking debates is a clear ding against him. He must now make up for that ding by demonstrating the other qualities that make him the better choice for South Dakota.
I am hoping for a speedy recovery for Johnson but at the same time, I can't stand Dykstra. For those of you that haven't heard, he called the local media outlets in Madison to find out when they were going to be present. Now I am not stating that this is a bad idea, but come to Madison for the event of Miracle Treat Day. That is what it was all about, not your campiagn to be in the paper and on TV.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that John Thune was there also. I didn't hear that he called the news media prior to his arrival. Also if people want to know the real Dykstra, you should ask some people that live in Canton. Specifically next door to him. He is self centered and not concerned about the other person. Ask Russ Olson about him. If you can't take the time to talk to somebody about a bill that you are going to introduce and vote on prior to the vote, then don't bother.
We don't need a person like Dykstra representing the people of SD. Johnson has had a terrible thing happen to him and he is making a speedy recovery. SD should be behind him and supporting him. If he didn't think he could do it, I believe that he would not be there.
yeah i really want dykstra representing south dakota...a questionable person that uses a picture of dynamite on his website to get people to donate....dyskstra's dyanamite brigade.....i would rather have a death dumb blind kid that could play a real mean pinball....or in our case a handicaped person who almost died and has fought very hard to recover only to be cut off at the knees by his fellow south dakotans....god bless all of you and i hope nothing like this happens to your any of you love ones....also one of the most brilliant minds in the world Stephen William Hawking who cannot speak on his own but manages to communicate just fine and by the way also also teaches...typical of us south dakotans to have such little compassion for a fellow south dakotan.....also there is a little law called the american with disabilities act...maybe some of you should browse through it.
ReplyDeletee.c., you just hit on the best example I've heard all week. Stephen Hawking is an intellectual treasure. He faces even greater difficulty than Tim Johnson in communicating in a job where communication (with students, colleagues, etc.) is arguably as important as in the U.S. Senate, and he has made enormous contributions. Your comment gets a promotion!
ReplyDelete