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Lincoln-Douglas Debates 150 Years Later
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  It’s been one hundred and fifty years, since Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas squared off in a series of three-hour public debates which became the most famous of political forums. We’ll find out what happened then…how debates evolved…and whether American audiences could stomach another Lincoln-Douglas style event today. Guests
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In 1986 the Republican and Democratic National Committees took control of the debates with the formation of the CPD. Please comment on this bit of press release, 10/3/1988 from the League of Women Voters.
"The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates ... because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public."
The majority of people questioned believe sufficient ballot access is a better threshold for presidential debate inclusion than the catch 22 of poll standings and media coverage.
Thanks to the Exchange for airing comments about Nader/Gonzalez, even though the last one on the environment was not constuctive and only used to scapegoat third parties as spoilers.
150 years ago the Lincoln/Douglas debates were widely read in the papers, and watched by a few, compared to how many would be watching live today.