I posted the following protest letter to ABC news, along with my signature on a petition via MoveOn.org.
I watched every minute of the 2-hours (April 16th). I hung on as a matter of responsibility, not as a matter of appreciation for what I was watching. I was sad, embarrassed and horrified to see something that I feel disregarded and disrespected the voters and democracy itself. It was a dereliction—even a degradation of duty.
I felt like I was at a cock fight where the “moderators” were prodding the birds, attempting to create a spectacle. It was a spectacle—of how “out of touch” you are with your fellow Americans who really want substance at a presidential debate. Even worse, it was reminiscent of a Joe McCarthy hearing!
If we want spectacle we can watch just about any other commercial television show. Please. You are not just a show at times like this. You have a somber responsibility to facilitate our advancement of democratic process.
Please read the read the dramatic press release of October 3, 1988, by 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.