Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee listened to comments from Fred Thompson, a rival Republican on the campaign trail that said Thompson had little respect for the multi-candidate forum of debates that both parties have been holding so far this election year. Thomson said he believes it would be better to have smaller groups and even one-on-one debates to give the voters a better picture of the candidates.
At this time, according to USA Election Polls (USAElectionPolls.com), Huckabee is polling highest in Iowa, New Hampshire and Texas. He is also polling lowest in the Western States.
Well, Huckabee sent a letter to Thompson, essentially saying they should set the example among all the Republican candidates and hold the Lincoln-Douglas style debate on the issues that both candidates are fostering. He said they should get the ball rolling and get things set up to enable the public to listen to more than 30-second commercial and sound bites, getting a better overall view of where all the candidates stand on issues affecting the voting public.
So far, both parties have held debates in which all of the candidates, first, second and third tier candidates on stage at the same time. While many believe it gives the voters an opportunity to only hear what each candidate has to say but to read their body language in their reactions to what the others say, as well.
However, many would agree with Thompson that due to time limitations placed on response time in these multiple candidate forums, the answers are not necessarily as well thought out or as informational enough to give the voters a viable picture. One-on-one debates can give the candidates more time to better explain their views and opinions.
