hat are Vice Presidential debates for? In the frenzy of deciding what to think after a debate that basic question often gets lost. Debates generate a distinct news cycle as mainstream media plan for, cover, and finally discuss and fact-check the event. Researchers are divided in how to interpret these cycles.
One side says: this is all , generated for the media, by the media. Manufactured sites, imagined to be authentic. The other side argues, no, these debates are that bring societies together in a common viewing experience, offering a chance to discuss core values and particular policies, ultimately generating social cohesion.
The was both. A maddening amount of punditry combined with moments when we had chances to consider what topics, delivered by whom, should define who we are as a nation. And as Americans watched on, the debate gave a glimpse into how much American politics relies on the power of performance to shape the way we move forward as a democracy.
There was more real policy talk in this debate than in the Harris-Trump face-off, with more in-depth discussions, but the cracks of the Democrat’s VP selection were on full display. The Democrats chose Walz to be likeable and to be the coach-teacher-veteran combo we would like to enjoy as our next-door neighbor or even sip a beer with, even if his stories become annoying. They picked him due to his every day, bubbly, friendly-uncle-like political character that looked particularly relatable in short-video format.
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