Another four years another presidential debate. Before I go on to the current debates let me state a few facts about past ones. The Lincoln and Douglas debate was in important because it started Lincoln presidential career. The Debates lasted from August 21 – October 15. There where seven of them, with two days to two weeks in between. Each debate lasted three hours; first candidate spoke for one hour; the second for one and a half hours; the first replying for a half hour. Candidates alternated going first. The topics involved where primarily slavery and the Union. Other important debates were the ’48 and ’57. They were the only debates before 1960; there were no presidential debates between 1960 and 1976. In 1960 the presidential debate was between President Kennedy and President Nixon. The topic was domestic issues. Over 66.4 million people either heard or watch the debates. 1992 was President Clinton’s first presidential debate. With over 62.4 million people watching President Clinton, President Bush and Ross Perot debated with the rules being, no opening statements; each candidate questioned in turn with two minutes to respond; one minute rebuttal by other candidates; two minute closing statements. (http://www.debates.org/pages/debhis.html)Enough of ancient history lets get back to today’s debates. In the rest of the essay I will explain what issues interest me and why. Also, I will explain my opinion on the issues I choose and why I chose that statement. The first issue I would like to address is on education. This issue was chosen for me. The moderator in the first debate asked the candidates “Both of you have promised dramatically to change – to change dramatically public education in the country. Of the public money spent on education, only 6% of that id federal money. You want to change 100% of the public education on 6% of the money, is it possible to change it?”(Jim Lehrer) B...
