Frequently Asked DebateWatch Questions
What is DebateWatch 2000?
The non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates sponsors DebateWatch 2000. It is being coordinated for the St. Louis metropolitan area through Washington University, the host institution for the Oct. 17 debate. DebateWatch 2000 is an opportunity for everyone to become actively involved with the 2000 debates by forming small groups of about a dozen or so, watching the debates together on television, and then discussing the debates and reporting both what they learned and how the debates will affect the choices they make in the November election.
DebateWatch participants will have the chance to make their views known not only in their discussion groups, but also by answering a brief one-page survey about the issues addressed and the overall helpfulness of the debates to voters. The results of the anonymous questionnaires will be provided to the Commission, the news media and the candidates within a few days of each debate.
As part of this regional effort, KSDK TV (Channel 5, NBC) is serving as a media partner to help spread the word about DebateWatch.
How can I find out more about DebateWatch 2000?
The Commission on Presidential Debates' self-guided DebateWatch flier includes information on how to start and host a DebateWatch group, sample questions on what to ask during DebateWatch discussions, a viewer's guide to the debates and the survey sheet. More information on the regional DebateWatch effort will be available on the local DebateWatch information line (314) 935-7959.
When will DebateWatch 2000 be held?
The local focus is on the Tuesday, Oct. 17 presidential debate to be held at Washington University and scheduled to air locally at 8 p.m. CDT. DebateWatches also can be held for the other presidential and vice presidential debates - at 8 p.m. Oct. 3, 5 and 11. Additionally, the debates can be taped and watched by school or community groups the next day.
Where will DebateWatches be held?
The grassroots effort relies on residents throughout the region hosting DebateWatches in their own homes with a dozen or so friends, families, co-workers and/or fellow organization members the night of the debate.
Area schools, institutions of higher learning and community groups also may decide to host DebateWatches open to members of the community. Once details of these events become known, this information will be available on the local DebateWatch information line (314) 935-7959.
Who can participate in DebateWatch?
Anyone can participate in DebateWatch. Participants need not be U.S. citizens or of voting age. The goal is to get as broad a perspective and as much input as possible on the debates.
What can people get out of DebateWatch?
DebateWatch 2000 offers participants the opportunity to be their own spin doctors, as they discuss how the debates affected their understanding of major issues, the way they will vote in the November election, and whether or not the candidates addressed the issues they thought were the most important.
By returning the survey to the Commission on Presidential Debates, participants also will join in a broader dialogue on the debates and assume a larger role in influencing public policy and political agendas.
What kinds of questions will DebateWatchers answer?
As a non-partisan activity, the Commission on Presidential Debates' DebateWatch questionnaire focuses on the issues, not on the candidates. DebateWatchers will not decide who won or lost the debate, but rather discuss which issues covered in the debate participants found the most useful, which issues were irrelevant and which issues that weren't addressed should have been covered.
The anonymous questionnaire also asks some general information about participants, as well as how watching the debate and participating in the DebateWatch discussion affected their opinions of the election and the candidates.
Participants will not be asked to identify themselves or tell how they plan to vote in November. Answering the anonymous questionnaire is voluntary.
What happens to the DebateWatch questionnaires?
The results of the one-page questionnaires will be sent to the Commission on Presidential Debates, the candidates and the media within several days of the debate. Information on how to submit the questionnaire by phone, fax or e-mail is included in the Commission on Presidential Debates' flier.
Couldn't someone or some group try to skew the DebateWatch results?
DebateWatches will be held in literally thousands of places across the country. The project is just too huge for anyone to try to rig the system. Any attempt at manipulation would be diluted.
Who is sponsoring DebateWatch?
DebateWatch is officially sanctioned by the non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which meets the IRS 501 c3 guidelines for a non-profit group.
