Debates

2002-2022 | 20 years

This episode is an amazing one, with rapid-fire dialog and a great climax. This episode largely centers around the debate between President Bartlet and Republican Candidate Rob Ritchie. At the end of the episode, Ritchie tells President Bartlet “It's over”, meaning that he knows that President Bartlet is now going to be the winner of the election. In the series, the reason President Bartlet won the White House was that he “won” the debate.

It seems a little wild that one debate could have such a big impact, however, currently, mid-term debates could determine which party controls the Senate. In Ohio, where Republicans are trying to defend a vacant Senate seat. The Candidates JD Vance(R) and Tim Ryan(D) are in a very close race, and both are good debaters, so people’s views on the debates may very well affect the election. However, they had two debates, which means both candidates had two changes to make their case to the American people, and show their true character. In the Georiga Senate debate, Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker faced off, and although Walker did not do well, he was able to surpass a very low bar, making the debates a “win” for him. Warnock is currently ahead in early votes, but it is predicted that Walker will have greater election-day support and that he could win if Republicans turn out. Dr. Oz and John Fetterman debated in one debate for the Pennsylvania Senate seat last night. Fetterman struggled occasionally with expressing himself in the debate, due to the effects of a stroke he suffered in May. Previously, Fetterman had a lead, but that lead started narrowing before the debate, and after his performance in the debate, people are speculating that the race will be a toss-up. Some people believe that he should not have participated in the debate in the first place. Some candidates don’t debate their opponents because they fear it could tip the scales in their opponent's favor. This can be seen in the close Arizona Govoner race, where Karie Lake(R) is leading over by around 2% over Arizona’s Secretary of State Katie Hobbs(D). Hobbs has been reluctant to debate Lake because Lake is a very well-spoken and aggressive debater and she believes it is difficult to have a serious debate with someone who pushes big lie conspiracies.

Debates are very important to the results of American elections, and it is good for people to be able to hear from the candidates. However, when it is a one-shot winner take all situation, one bad night can determine the future of the American legislature for the next two years. This is why it is important, that as well as watching the debates, people take the time before voting to look for more than the letter behind a person’s name and see what their views are on the issues.