By: Jessica Cihacek
jcihacek@kcautv.com
Recent reports suggest that more than 60 million Americans will be watching President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney lay it all out on the table Wednesday night.
So we were curious: why?
Rachel Doyon, who will be working late, but already has her DVR set, says, "I just wanna see what both the candidates have to say and what their viewpoints are on the issues they've tried so hard, up to this point, to evade, talking about."
According to a local political expert, though, there's historically, no basis that says debates have the power to be total game changers.
Dr. David Wiltse, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Briar Cliff University, says, "A lot of the fun things, a lot of the exciting things that happen during campaigns, don't matter as much as people really think they do and debates are one of these."
In fact, Wiltse says the candidates messages may have very little impact on viewers. That body language could be a bigger factor.
Dr. Wiltse says, "A lot of talk that body language, body mannerisms are more important than the actual substance. A lot of people look at the 1960's debates, a good example of this when Kennedy looked more poised and just projected better on television than Richard Nixon."
Or like the debate between George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, when bush stood up and checked the time on his watch.
Whether it be body language or actual language, political experts say candidates don't have much to gain in these debates.
But a major catastrophe like Rick Perry's, "Oops," moment could cost them a lot.
Another thing to look for is the "pivot." Where a candidate will start answering the question they're given, and then, somewhere in the middle of their response will switch gears or "pivot" their message into either a point they've already rehearsed.
