Why the Republican Debates Matter So Much

Michael Shear looks at some of the reasons why the Republican presidential primary debates have mattered so much this cycle.

“Maybe
it’s because Democrats don’t have anything else to do in the evening.
Without Democratic debates to fill their time, curious liberals are
tuning in to get their fill of televised political combat…
the Republican candidates are not the typical collection of middle-aged,
somewhat boring governor or senators. Instead, many of them are genuine
media personalities who know how to use the television camera to their
advantage… The proliferation of political commentary on blogs, news
Web sites and even Twitter has made it possible to experience the
political campaigns entirely through the eyes of other people. But that
may make people even more eager to find out for themselves.”