Framing the Debate

Dr. Andy Cline has an intersting post that explains how the rules for the upcoming debates might effect what the candidates are able to say and how they will be able to engage with each other. As Cline notes, the "debates" aren't really debates in the traditional sense, but instead might actually inhibit "truth and honesty in civic discourse." As you watch the debates on Thursday, perhaps keep in mind some of the questions that Dr. Cline is raising in this post.

You might also take a look at Dr. Cline's discussion of the lack of faith in contemporary media. Dr. Cline points to a Gallup study that indicates that only 44% of Americans claim to be "confident that U.S. news outlets are presenting the news accurately and completely."