1. Campaign Strategy

TL;DR

Presidential debates provide a rare opportunity for candidates to communicate with a broad audience, but their significance is often questioned in the fractured media landscape.

Transcript

Well welcome to Election 2016 Class here at Stanford University that's intended both for the undergraduate and graduate student body as well as for the entire community. My name is Rob Reich. I'm a professor in the Political Science department. I'm one of the three instructors of the class. I'm joined by David Kennedy, my colleague in the history d... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎚️ Presidential debates are an important opportunity for candidates to connect with voters on a personal level.
• ❓ The impact of debates on the outcome of the election is debatable, but they can solidify support and influence undecided voters.
• 😮 The fractured media landscape and the rise of social media have changed the way debates are viewed and discussed.

Questions & Answers

Q: How have Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump used the media during their campaigns?

Trump has dominated media coverage by creating controversy and manipulating the press, while Clinton has taken a more strategic approach, choosing moments to elevate her profile.

Q: How significant are presidential debates in the context of the fractured media landscape?

Debates provide a rare opportunity for candidates to deliver a message to a broad audience, but their impact on the outcome of the election may be limited. However, debates can solidify support and influence undecided voters.

Q: Can the design of presidential debates be improved to foster more substantive discussions?

There have been efforts to create more substantive debates, but the format and candidate demeanor often lead to a more combative and less substantive discussion. A focus on policy and issues could improve the quality of debates.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Presidential debates serve as a platform for candidates to connect with voters on a personal level, but their impact on the outcome of the election is debatable.

• The debate format has evolved over time, with efforts to create more substantive discussions. However, the recent debates have focused more on personal attacks and less on policy.