It is often said that these “debates” are won after the debates actually take place. The media decides who wins the debate in the days after. As Paul Krugman puts it is that “whatever happens in Thursday’s debate, cable news will proclaim President Bush the winner.” I think tonight the blogosphere will have a large say in who actually “won” the debate. There will be a full fledged war after the debate in the blogosphere. The Bush team seems to be doing a better job of equipping its blog soldiers. The Bush team has created a “debate feed” so that all of the consevrative bloggers out there can put up “debate facts” live on their blogs courtesy of G-Dub’s team. Wired has an interesting article about this. Where are the weapons for the Kerry supporter blogs? Where are the nerds when you need em? Why isn’t the Kerry team mobilizing the bloggers?
Some 50 million people are going to be watching the debate tonight. What will be interesting is comparing the post debate coverage in terms of TV vs print vs blogs. I mean someone has to tell these people who won. It will be interesting to see who says what and how they say it. I really want the blogs to assert their influence this evening and in the days to come, not only so Kerry can win but because I just like the idea of more people participating in the political process.
If you want to follow the blogosphere live you can use Feedster, Blogdex, Technorati to name a few.
BTW, you can read the rulebook for the debate here. (pdf) Its pretty funny.
Links of Note yo.
A debate briefing for G-Dub.
10 secrets they dont want you to know about the debates.
Bush’s top ten flip flops.
What can be learned from debates of the past?
Fact Check the debate.
Voter’s info guide.
Also of Note:
Kyoto might actually happen…