Centerfield

The Expectations Game

Democrats play down debate expectations

Here's how it's played: Before a debate, rival campaigns build up the skills of their opponents while downgrading their own candidate's verbal abilities. That way, any bright moments make a performance seem like a home run.

For the Democratic hopefuls, the first major round of the Expectations Game came ahead of Thursday night's debate at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The 90-minute event offers eight candidates their initial chance to distinguish themselves on the long road to the nomination next year.

"I've just got to make sure I don't trip walking on the stage," joked Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who complained that the candidates get no opening or closing statements and that responses to questions are limited to 60 seconds. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama cracked, "It takes me 60 seconds to clear my throat."

Such self-deprecating comments before a debate are common in the Expectations Game. So is anonymous praise.

We're all pretty familiar with this from the Bush years, right? If Bush didn't wet himself, the GOP declared victory. It always rubs me a little bit the wrong way regardlless of which team is doing the lowering.

Granted, someone who freezes in the spotlight or stumbles over his or her words or looks unprepared or unable to connect several important ideas together might still be a good President.

But all other things being equal, it IS desirable for a President to be well-spoken, charismatic, thoughful, and intelligent. Right? We want our President to be capable of sophisticated thought on a wide range of issues. Right? And we want him or her to be able to communicate his or her thinking clearly and succinctly. Right?

To the extent that I buy into the lowering, it's mostly because some people are, well, quicker eaters than others, as it were. The first person to come up with a plausible answer may not be the one who is right. So there is something to be said for deliberation. That point notwithstanding, I'd like to give everyone out there permission to make a few conclusions about candidates on the basis of their debate performance. It's a matter of parsimony, aint it? The candidate who looks calmer, sounds more intelligent and thoughtful, and feels more cognizant of the needs of everyday folks probably is. If you have to guess. Nothing wrong with looking deeper if you want, but for those who don't have the time or inclination.... .