I got a nice letter from MoveOn asking me to participate in a new instant debate response plan. I understand the idea, but I can't see how it will bring about the major political and social changes that we need. Debate spectacles are mostly bread and circuses to distract us. Here's my response:
I like MoveOn, but not your idea about instant debate responses and comments. People like to watch debates and hope for slips, such as Jerry Ford’s 1976 Poland comment. However their positive claims are often hot air. Consider Obama, a careful and moderately successful president (in spite of shameful opposition from 2009 on, much of which was racially motivated). Many of his campaign promises were never implemented because of Congressional opposition, such as closing Guantanamo. His campaign words diverged from his actions on trade agreements.