Republican presidential candidates have been involved in three nationally televised debates so far this year. The debates are primarily focused on providing potential Republican voters with the opportunity to look over the field of candidates. But independents and Democrats can’t help being exposed to the events, if not directly by virtue of watching live — and the debates have, in fact, enjoyed record-breaking viewership levels — than through the extensive news coverage that follows. So an interesting question arises as to the possible impact of the debates on those Americans who are not Republicans. This is not a trivial concern for the GOP; whoever becomes the party’s nominee will, of course, end up facing the general electorate next November. CONT.
Frank Newport, Gallup