Debate Reform: Online Debate Hosted by Conservative New Media

 
Ricochet-Online-Debate

Working Prototype

The CNBC debacle may have been the straw that broke the elephant’s back. Republican campaign managers are considering holding a debate on their own terms and the RNC has cordially uninvited NBC from an upcoming debate. I am aware that Ricochet has approached the candidates in the past about hosting and was rebuffed. It should try again — now — and propose an innovative new debate format, co-hosted by two other leading conservative new media organizations in which:

  1. Candidates don’t appear onstage together
  2. There is no live audience or auditorium
  3. Candidates receive a question, record their answers on video (smartphone is fine) and submit their answers back to the moderator, all within 30 minutes or so per question
  4. The video answers are quickly assembled into a YouTube channel where they can be viewed together in order (just like a a debate on TV) or a-la-carte as individual questions, answers and rebuttals (enabling wide syndication on social media)

A few of us produced a working prototype on a YouTube channel here with placeholder stock videos in place of the candidates’ statements.

The benefits are many, including:

  1. Thoughtful questions from people who represent the primary voters, not NBC news.
  2. A civilized in-depth debate in which candidates compete on the field of ideas.
  3. Freedom from time limitations imposed by TV time-slots, ads and program scheduling.
  4. Elimination of the advertiser-friendly, reality TV nonsense such as playing to the audience and clown questions.
  5. A shining example of how the Republicans are the party of the people and of the future — not the whipping boys/girls for the paleo-media.
  6. Wide exposure and a positive impression for Ricochet and other co-sponsors.
  7. Best of all, it is practically free.

Here is how it would work:

  1. Ricochet and two other conservative media outlets (e.g., National Review, The Weekly Standard, etc.) form a debate host committee. Ideally choose three new media outlets that represent the left, right, and center of the party and movement. The combined group probably has more reach to likely primary voters than a network like CNBC.
  2. Each publication nominates one administrator, three questioners, and one moderator/host from their own staff, their freelancers, or even from one of the other two publications. (e.g., National Review might think that Ricochet’s Peter Robinson would be the best moderator and host … and they would be right.) The administrators set the rules and vote on all business matters. The questioners form questions and submit them to the moderator in writing. The moderator/host asks the questions and handles niceties. (See #5 below about how the questions and answers are handled very differently than previous debates.)
  3. The three administrators decide how many candidates and who to invite to the debate. (Again, see #5 below for why this format can accommodate a wide field.)
  4. Give each candidate one “blackball” card to play for questioners. If a prospective questioner gets more than (n) blackballs, he or she cannot participate.
  5. The debate is not a live event in the traditional sense. There is no audience to pack with supporters. Candidates are not on screen or miked up while the other is speaking. They can’t upstage the others by sighing, interrupting, or mugging for the cameras.
  6. Questions are emailed to the candidates at the same time. They are given five minutes to record a response and post the video to a shared YouTube channel. This channel is not (yet) open to the public, but is open to the candidates. They can see and rebut each other for another 10 minutes. Once all rebuttals are posted, the moderator assembles the responses and rebuttals in a YouTube playlist in a random (or pre-arranged, fair order) and then publishes the playlist to the world. Anyone who wants to see the entire question, all answers, and all rebuttals can do so.
  7. Repeat step #6 above for a reasonable number of questions.
  8. YouTube gets to sell advertising on all of the videos (political ads are not permitted, of course). The paleo-media (television, newspapers) can use the footage under the same agreements that they currently air clips from each other’s debates.
  9. Ricochet and the other sponsoring entities get branding opportunities on-screen, pre-roll and on the YouTube channel page.
  10. Tons of free distribution on social media

C’mon, Ricochet. Ask the candidates again — today! If we could pull this off it could provide wide exposure for Ricochet.

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  1. Augustine Member
    Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    If all the folks managing Ricochet got behind this, they might really be able to make it happen, mightn’t they?

    What a neat thing that would be.  The best debate I ever saw in politics wasn’t a conventional debate either: Rick Warren’s interviews of McCain and Obama.

    Well, anyway, here’s one Ricochetus who’s with you on this.

    • #1
  2. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Augustine. I agree that Warren’s was good. I don’t know why we feel beholden to the networks. Our interest are *not* aligned with theirs. Most of the networks are liberal. Even Fox needs fireworks and intrigue for ratings.  The format and rules are more Oprah and Meet the Press than classical debate structure.

    • #2
  3. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Peter Robinson for moderator!

    • #3
  4. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    One of the things that I have been really enjoying about this current election, is the “old way” of doing things is starting to crumble and it’s the Republicans that are shaking things up. Who knew ever 6 months ago that the top tier candidates would not be elected politicians? Who knew that you could say uncomfortable truths that make the media clutch their pearls and your poll numbers actually go up?

    things are shaking up and I LOVE this new development, your idea to have conservative media moderate the debate and put it online so the candidates can actually talk at length about not just their plans but their worldview as well.

    great Idea Dick.

    • #4
  5. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Jamie Lockett:Peter Robinson for moderator!

    Just 4 more “last” questions

    • #5
  6. PJS Coolidge
    PJS
    @PJS

    DfB, you are the man!

    • #6
  7. Kay of MT Inactive
    Kay of MT
    @KayofMT

    Brilliant Dick from Brooklyn! I’m behind you and why aren’t you in the lineup?

    • #7
  8. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Dick from Brooklyn: Breitbart

    Nooooooooo

    • #8
  9. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    I had a similar thought on the chat last night but this has some interesting details I like.  A big thing I like about it is it’s an opportunity to highlight being the party of newer media and technology.  Young people today barely even watch tv for crying out loud.  Get on Youtube…NOW

    • #9
  10. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Concretevol:

    Dick from Brooklyn: Breitbart

    Nooooooooo

    Truthfully, I haven’t been to that site since Andrew died. I assume it has gone downhill?

    Substitute in any other right-of-center media outlet or community.

    • #10
  11. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Fifteen minutes, a couple of placeholder videos and play-lists and it is alive. Now all we need is a few candidates and three conservative media outlets to agree to do it…. sigh

    • #11
  12. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Dick from Brooklyn:

    Concretevol:

    Dick from Brooklyn: Breitbart

    Nooooooooo

    Truthfully, I haven’t been to that site since Andrew died. I assume it has gone downhill?

    Substitute in any other right-of-center media outlet or community.

    There is a reason why they call it Trumpbart now.

    • #12
  13. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Proof of concept demo – complete with demo videos, public and private playlists and role-based access control is done. Elapsed time = 1.5 hours.

    Screen Shot 2015-10-29 at 6.29.04 PM

    • #13
  14. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    Dick from Brooklyn:Proof of concept demo – complete with demo videos, public and private playlists and role-based access control is done. Elapsed time = 1.5 hours.

    Screen Shot 2015-10-29 at 6.29.04 PM

    How did you do that so fast?

    • #14
  15. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    Concretevol:

    Dick from Brooklyn:

    Concretevol:

    Dick from Brooklyn: Breitbart

    Nooooooooo

    Truthfully, I haven’t been to that site since Andrew died. I assume it has gone downhill?

    Substitute in any other right-of-center media outlet or community.

    There is a reason why they call it Trumpbart now.

    Don’t dump too much of Breitbart. Yes it isn’t the same without Andrew, but our own James Delingpole is editor of Breitbart London and they still do good work. Every media outlet has favorites and can tend towards that but I still like Breitbart but the pop ups drive me crazy so I don’t go as much the same with the Daily Caller.

    • #15
  16. Kay of MT Inactive
    Kay of MT
    @KayofMT

    Mate De: How did you do that so fast?

    He’s brilliant and should be running our country. Think how fast he could dump obamacare and replace it with something that works!

    • #16
  17. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Kay of MT:

    Mate De: How did you do that so fast?

    He’s brilliant and should be running our country. Think how fast he could dump obamacare and replace it with something that works!

    <3

    • #17
  18. Augustine Member
    Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Jamie Lockett:Peter Robinson for moderator!

    Awesome.

    • #18
  19. Augustine Member
    Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Dick from Brooklyn:Augustine. I agree that Warren’s was good. I don’t know why we feel beholden to the networks. Our interest are *not* aligned with theirs. Most of the networks are liberal. Even Fox needs fireworks and intrigue for ratings. The format and rules are more Oprah and Meet the Press than classical debate structure.

    Man, do I ever concur with that.

    • #19
  20. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    I like it Dick!  Peter said on the chat that it was nearly impossible to get the candidates to cooperate.  Surely they (the legitimate ones at least) would prefer this format to standing on a stage while liberals try to goad them into fighting.

    • #20
  21. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    This thread needs to be promoted to the Main Feed pronto!

    • #21
  22. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Concretevol:I like it Dick! Peter said on the chat that it was nearly impossible to get the candidates to cooperate. Surely they (the legitimate ones at least) would prefer this format to standing on a stage while liberals try to goad them into fighting.

    Yes, I was disappointed (but not surprised) to hear Peter report how uncooperative the candidates and their high-dollar Sancho Panzas are.

    Perhaps now they will play ball after (a) last night’s nightmare of a debate and (b) the positive reinforcement that Cruz and Christie have received for rejecting the moderators’ very premises.

    • #22
  23. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Here is a *VERY* rough prototype – complete with fake videos (used free stock video) and intros and such. The full debate channel is here where one can browse one question at a time.

    Obviously the videos and titles are amateurish. I’ll refine them on the next iteration. In the hands of a real video editor, it would look broadcast quality, I am sure.

    The prototype also allows for a moderator to receive video answers to the questions from candidates in a private playlist over a defined period of time (say 30 minutes) and to sort them into a public playlist and publish them all at once to the general public.

    • #23
  24. Augustine Member
    Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Concretevol:This thread needs to be promoted to the Main Feed pronto!

    24 comments to the Most Popular box!

    • #24
  25. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Dick from Brooklyn:Here is a *VERY* rough prototype – complete with fake videos (used free stock video) and intros and such. The full debate channel is here where one can browse one question at a time.

    Obviously the videos and titles are amateurish. I’ll refine them on the next iteration. In the hands of a real video editor, it would look broadcast quality, I am sure.

    The prototype also allows for a moderator to receive video answers to the questions from candidates in a private playlist over a defined period of time (say 30 minutes) and to sort them into a public playlist and publish them all at once to the general public.

    Is that a “luxury speedboat” in Rubio’s opening remark video?  :)

    • #25
  26. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Was just showing your “channel” and ideas to our resident Millennial in the office and his response was “that is a great idea!”  All he watched of the debate was youtube clips anyway and he and his wife love the video clips Carly has on her website.

    This is a no brainer….if a couple candidates get on board it could really take off.

    • #26
  27. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Concretevol:Was just showing your “channel” and ideas to our resident Millennial in the office and his response was “that is a great idea!” All he watched of the debate was youtube clips anyway and he and his wife love the video clips Carly has on her website.

    This is a no brainer….if a couple candidates get on board it could really take off.

    Thanks for testing it out, CV.
    And tell that Millennial to look up from his smartphone when he crosses the street and to stay off of my lawn! :)

    • #27
  28. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Concretevol:

    Dick from Brooklyn:Here is a *VERY* rough prototype – complete with fake videos (used free stock video) and intros and such. The full debate channel is here where one can browse one question at a time.

    Obviously the videos and titles are amateurish. I’ll refine them on the next iteration. In the hands of a real video editor, it would look broadcast quality, I am sure.

    The prototype also allows for a moderator to receive video answers to the questions from candidates in a private playlist over a defined period of time (say 30 minutes) and to sort them into a public playlist and publish them all at once to the general public.

    Is that a “luxury speedboat” in Rubio’s opening remark video? :)

    :) Check out Christie’s rebuttal to the 2nd question.

    • #28
  29. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    One of the benefits to having Trump in this race (even if you don’t like him he has been a benefit) is he has media saavy and he knows how to get an audience. Rush has spoken about this on his show, that Trump has created a bond with his supporters that the media did not create, he did and no bad press will destroy that bond. If that bond is to be broken, either someone else has to step in as a better option or Trump has to do something to break that bond the he has formed, but the media won’t do it.

    This is a format I think Trump would get in on. Plus it actually doesn’t take that much time out, they can do their videos in their hotel rooms or on the road to the next campaign event. They can take their time and really have a well thought out answer that really gets to the substance. I’m loving this idea more and more, but I think getting Trump in is the key. (again you don’t have to like Trump, just ride his name recognition coat tails)

    • #29
  30. Dick from Brooklyn Thatcher
    Dick from Brooklyn
    @DickfromBrooklyn

    Mate De:One of the benefits to having Trump in this race (even if you don’t like him he has been a benefit) is he has media saavy and he knows how to get an audience. Rush has spoken about this on his show, that Trump has created a bond with his supporters that the media did not create, he did and no bad press will destroy that bond. If that bond is to be broken, either someone else has to step in as a better option or Trump has to do something to break that bond the he has formed, but the media won’t do it.

    This is a format I think Trump would get in on. Plus it actually doesn’t take that much time out, they can do their videos in their hotel rooms or on the road to the next campaign event. They can take their time and really have a well thought out answer that really gets to the substance. I’m loving this idea more and more, but I think getting Trump in is the key. (again you don’t have to like Trump, just ride his name recognition coat tails)

    I agree, Mate De.

    Its going to be a yuoooge success.

    Trump would continue to be the draw for a large number of people, but the great part about this format is… you can skip forward through his statements.

    Maybe we should make a big brass button just for this function?

    :)

    • #30
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