Candidates rue debate schedule
Last week's presidential forum at Faneuil Hall yielded some of the most memorable exchanges between the nine Democratic candidates. Yet most have been ruing their heavy debate schedule.
In private conversations, they complain that their roughly three dozen face-offs -- including appearances demanded by special-interest groups -- have detracted from more traditional politicking, and have added to the logistical burden of campaigning. They also question the payoff of the debates, noting the many participants and poor TV ratings.
A look at the debates
(WITH AVAILABLE NIELSEN RATINGS)
May 3, 2003
COLUMBIA, S.C.
Sponsored by ABC. Aired on
affiliates in S.C., N.H. and Iowa.
September 4, 2003
ALBUQUERQUE
Sponsored by Congressional
Hispanic Caucus. Aired on
PBS and Univision.
September 9, 2003
BALTIMORE
Sponsored by Congressional
Black Caucus. Aired on FOX.
(1.6 million viewers.)
September 25, 2003
NEW YORK
DNC event Aired live on CNBC
(603,000 viewers) and on
MSNBC (485,000 viewers.)
October 9, 2003
PHOENIX
A DNC event. Aired on CNN
(467,000 viewers.)
October 26, 2003
DETROIT
Sponsored by the Congressional
Black Caucus. Aired on
FOX (1.2 million viewers)
November 4, 2003
BOSTON
CNN/Rock the Vote Youth
Forum. Aired on CNN.
(1.2 million viewers)
November 5, 2003
MANCHESTER, N.H.
Planned Parenthood Forum.
Aired on C-Span
Some upcoming debates or forums
November 24, 2003
DES MOINES, IOWA
DNC/MSNBC Debate
December 9, 2003
NEW HAMPSHIRE
DNC Debate
January 4, 2004
IOWA
Des Moines Register
Debate
January 6, 2004
IOWA
National Public Radio Debate
January 11, 2004
IOWA
Black/Brown Debate
January 22, 2004
NEW HAMPSHIRE
WMUR Debate 