Debate revolt

Caucus Blog, NY Times:

Is there a debate revolt brewing?

There have already been eight Republican presidential debates and there are 11 more scheduled just through the end of January. At this rate, there could be close to 30 debates if the nomination fight stretches months longer.

The television networks are loving it — the debates are getting record ratings and generating the kind of buzz-worthy political moments that drive cable news chatter for days.

But the frequency of the debates is wearing thin — very thin — for some of the candidates, especially those whose performances have been judged to be less than stellar.

A spokesman for Rick Perry, whose candidacy has faltered after several poor debate appearances, said on Wednesday that the Texas governor may not participate in some of the coming face-offs.

...

 It’s not clear whether Mr. Perry could skip the debates without a steep political cost. By refusing to appear on a national stage now — after being criticized for his previous performances — he might open himself to charges that he is afraid to debate.

... 

Unlike the cable channels and some in the media, I have grown weary of them.  I dislike the focus on the candidates designed to promote bickering about each other rather than challenge the failures of the Obama administration and the Democrats in Congress.  That is what I am interested in, but the Debate questions rarely touch those subjects.

Too many of the questions are also about what liberal media types are interested in rather than conservative voters.  Even the Fox debates have drifted into to this formulation.  I can understand why Perry thinks they are counterproductive.  I keep threatening to not watch them, but wind up doing it for the same reason people gawk at car wrecks, I think.