The original documents are located in Box D67, folder “Commission on Presidential Debates, 1987-1997 (3)” of the Melvin Laird Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box D67 of the Melvin Laird Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library How to Organize DebateWatch '<jG Hosting or participating in Debate Watch is easy. Below is a list of questions and answers on what to do to get the most out of the experience. Q: Who can host DebateWatch '96? Q: Where should DebateWatch meet? A: Anyone or any group, formal or informal. The whole point A: DebateWatch can meet in your living room, in a school, at a of DebateWatch '96 is ro get as many Americans as possible talking community center, in a public library, in a business, at a church or about the debates, the campaign, the candidates, and the issues that place of worship, in a union hall, at a restaurant or wherever you affect our lives. can watch a television and comfortably form a circle of chairs or meet around a table after the debate to discuss. With large groups, Q: Where are DebateWatches taking place? have a large screen television or several televisions to guarantee that everyone can see. If you are planning to divide a large gathering A: In all fifty states, U.S. territories, and among Americans liv- into multiple groups at one location, make sure that you have ing abroad. If you have friends or relatives in other parts of the enough space so that groups have several feet between them. country or the world, encourage them to take part. Q: Do we need a group leader, and what qualifications should a Q: Who should be invited to participate? leader have? A: Invite your neighbors, friends, co-workers, or family into A: You should designate a facilitator to lead the group only to your home. Organize a DebateWatch for members of an organiza­ get things organized and keep discussion going. This packet tion to which you belong in place of a regular meeting. Think includes suggestions for a group facilitator (See Facilitator's Guide about including people of all ages, including teens who might not and Suggested Questions). Select someone to lead the group who be old enough to vote yet but are interested in current events. Ir is comfortable giving directions and who won't dominate the takes no special expertise to talk about the issues so anyone you discussion. If you want to hold a DebateWatch, but no one feels know would potentially enjoy participating. comfortable leading, consult the resource list included in the packet for suggestions of individuals in your area who are willing Q: How many people should be invited to join? to be group leaders. A: Discussion works best if approximately 8-12 people partici- pate. If you belong to an organization that wants to hold a Q: How do we organize the evening? DebateWatch in place of a meeting or as part of a parent-student­ A: Here is a checklist of tasks for organizing the evening. teacher activity in a school, and you have more than twelve mem­ bers, then divide into two or more groups. If possible, duplicate and distribute the "Viewer's Guide to Political Debates" prior to the evening of the debate. =i Have DebateWatch participants arrive at the viewing/ discussion site about 30 minutes before the scheduled beginning of the debate. =i If participants want to participate in the research on DebateWatch '96 (see the question below on the research), have them complete the forms in the packet that are identified as pre- debate surveys and then read the "Viewer's Guide to Political nized the 1992 focus group research. As was done with the 1992 Debates" if they weren't sent out ahead of time (please duplicate research, a book about the 1996 results will be published (the 1992 the forms so that everyone has a copy). report, The 1992 Presidential Debates in Focus is available from u Don't turn the television on until a few minutes before the Praeger, Westport, CT). If you want your opinions to be part of the debate begins, and don't turn the volume on until the debate is research, then participate. We would like to hear what you think actually ready to begin. about the project. Collect the forms and send them in the enclosed c Forms to make it easy to take notes are included in the envelope or send them individually to the address listed on the packet. Make them available to those who want them. forms. The facilitator's response form doeslft require an envelope. c Arrange for seating so that everyone can see the television Q: There is only one copy of everything in the packet, is it all easily. Have some sofi: drinks, tea, and coffee and finger foods to right to make copies? help create a relaxed atmosphere. You might have each member of the group bring something such as ice, cups, napkins, food, etc. A: YES. Make as many as you need. o As soon as the debate ends, turn the television off. Take about ten minutes to stretch, etc. (but don't use the time to discuss Q: There is a resource list in the packet, what is its purpose? informally), and then have the leader gather everyone around a A: The resource list has several uses. First, it gives you sources table or put chairs in a circle to discuss. for information on the candidates and the issues in case you want c The leader can follow the suggested set of questions. Talk to follow up on what you heard in the debate or if you want to until you run out of things to say. Most groups should be able to read information before the debates. Second, it has the names of hold a discussion for about an hour. individuals or groups who can supply you with a facilitator should c: When you have said all that you want, complete the post- you want one. Third, it has information on Internet discussion sites discussion forms for the research. Even if you don't participate in in case you want to participate in continued dialogue via the Net. the research, please complete and mail the facilitator's form so that we can gauge the number of people who participated. Q: Should we use the DebateNotes form to pick a winner? If you had a successful evening, get together again for one of A: No. They are designed to help you remember issues you the other debates. want to discuss. We encourage you not to go into the debates try­ ing to determine who won or lost as there is no single way to make and who's doing Q: Should we participate in the research such a decision. Use this experience to learn as much as you can. it anyway? The real winners in debates are the voters who learn from them. A: Participation in research is purely voluntary and is an indi- vidual decision. Some members may want to participate; others Q: What if I have additional questions? might not. The research is being conducted by members of the A: Call the 800 number on this sheet or call the Speech Speech Communication Association, a professional organization Communication Association contact person nearest you who is which promotes the study, criticism, research, teaching and prac­ listed in the Resource List. tice of communication. Most SCA members participating in DebateWatch are university professors. The research is being coor­ dinated by Dr. Diana Carlin at the University of Kansas who orga- A Viewer's Guide to DebateWatch '<jfj Political Debates Voters typically identify candidate debates The Structure of Debates er. A separate time can be set aside for as the source of the most influential cross-examination questions or they may be Debates use a variety of formats. Primary information gained during a campaign. included as follow-ups. debates, featuring candidates from the same Because of their importance, the parry, and local debates traditionally are Questions may be posed to candidates from Commission on Presidential Debates and more free-wheeling and incorporate a wide a variety of sources. Members of the media the Speech Communication Association range of formats because of multiple candi­ typically serve as questioners in presidential prepared this information to assist you in dates. In 1992, those two features character­ and state office debates. In primary and getting the most from your debate viewing. ized the general election presidential local debates, experts on the topic debated This guide describes commonly used debate debates, which included a different format may serve as panelists. A single moderator formats and questioning techniques and for each debate including a town hall meet­ or a panel of media representatives or sub­ provides guidelines for getting the most ing with citizen questioners. ject experts are the most common question­ from a debate.