Wednesday’s presidential debate beats watching reality TV reruns

It's the humorless robot versus the droning professor: Live, tonight!

Photo by Chris Devers

Mitt Romney

Wednesday night across this great nation, grills will fire up, supermarket cases previously stuffed with frozen hot wings will lie barren, and stocks on Hidden Valley ranch dressing will close at a record high. Flat-screen televisions will fill our living rooms with the cool glow of cable news, beer cans will crack open with a deafening report, and let’s face it – some of us will keep loaded guns within easy reach.

The first 2012 presidential debate has arrived, and both candidates are cramming harder than students at UNT's Library the night before finals. That’s probably a smart move, considering that the broadcast will go out to more than 50 million viewers – and one mistake or verbal error could sink either candidate’s public impression.

Mitt Romney has a 20% lead on Barack Obama in Texas right now. Read that story.

According to the New York Times, Republican Party nominee Mitt Romney plans to address his characterization as a stiff, humorless robot by preparing a series of “zingers” and snappy lines to bring out his human side. Meanwhile, Democratic Party staffers are working to bring shine to President Obama’s rarely used unscripted speaking style, which has been criticized as long-winded and overly academic in a political climate desperate for quick, cutting sound bites.

It’s clear that both men intend to establish their respective viewpoints and characters all over again tonight, and if previous elections are any indication, every perceived gaffe or rhetorical triumph will dominate the headlines for weeks to come. These upcoming debates also provide undecided voters with an opportunity to inform themselves on which candidate’s beliefs are most in line with their own – and winning their votes can determine the outcome of an election.

Barack Obama

It might be hard to imagine a college student completely lacking a political opinion this late in the race, but polls don’t lie – these figures of myth certainly exist, and unless they’re motivated by an impressive debate performance from either side, they may decide not to vote at all.

If you consider yourself passionate about the presidential election, you might encourage your uninterested friends to get involved at least a little, even if motivating them proves to be an uphill battle. It’s important to remember that no matter where your vote eventually lands in November, it contributes to the democratic process and ideal that constructed this nation from the ground up.

After all, you’re the only person who can silence yourself, but considering the entertainment value of this season’s “reality TV,” why would you? If nothing else, you’ll certainly miss out on the highs and lows of tonight’s uniquely American drama.