this, in 1992 after contributing more than 250,000 thousand dollars in cash and in-kind contributions, Phillip Morris won the right to hang a large banner during the post debate interviews. (Raskin 2000) Also Anheuser-Busch, a debate sponsor in 1992 and 1996 had given more than a million dollars to the Democratic and Republican campaign parties and over 550,000 dollars to the CPD. (Raskin 2000) This earned them the right to be the sole sponsor of the presidential debate in St. Louis. Phillip Morris also gave more than three million dollars to the two parties, along with the Bank of America giving thousands of dollars. (Raskin 2000) It is believed that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) must also be receiving some kind of sponsor ship or they would have put a stop to these large contributions. As well as sponsor ship from corporations campaigns also receive money from cities who are interested in sponsoring a debate. The number of cities that wish to hold debates has increased drastically, this past year it was forty-five cities. And the average cost of a debate has not changed from 1988 to present; it is still 500,000 dollars but could easily change with the number of cities increasing and the effect off debates increase.Televised Debates and Media The first televised debate occurred between Kennedy and Nixon in 1960, millions of Americans tuned their televisions in and watched history in the making. People do not only see the debate they also hear commentary about the debate. If you are someone who does not watch debates on the television will definitely read about them in the newspaper or magazines. Media interpretations follow a pattern. They devote little time to the content of the debates but much time to the personalities of the candidates and the process by which they make the decision to debate, prepare to debate, and spin the stories about expectations for and effects the debate. The media interpretations are usually in t...
