Do Floor Debates Change Many Minds

Those who plan to watch however doubt.

Do floor debates change many minds. Yeah across the whole history of the republic it s been known to happen. The most recent example came in 2011 when john kriesel a rookie republican state representative from cottage grove who lost both his legs in combat in iraq gave one of the most powerful speeches in recent memory. It took more than an hour but the issue of climate change and wildfires one that s top of mind for many californians finally came up during the first chaotic presidential debate between president trump and former vice president joe biden. The debates aren t really intended to change anyone s mind nor resolve issues.

That is in an absolute sense a lot of money expecting 535 people to debate issues and come up with effective solutions in precise legal language is simply. Paul there will be lots of talking. Nearly three in four voters plan to watch tuesday s first 2020 presidential debate at 9 p m. Powerful debate speeches in the house or senate can and do have impact off the floor.

After tuesday night s presidential debate between president donald trump and former vice president joe biden a pair of political science professors said the skirmish may do little to change the. One of the more notable examples was the speech of john anderson on the house floor in support of the fair housing act in 1968. As some have pointed out people typically don t debate in hopes of changing the other person s or side s mind. His remarks were credited with convinc.

The question is. Members of congress have occasionally acknowledged changing their minds during floor debate. Do floor speeches ever cause legislators to change their mind. Et in cleveland ohio a new monmouth university poll found.

Which when you really think about it the us government spends close to 4 trillion dollars a year. Moreover the debates tend. But this new information is not likely to change many minds. The debates occur late in the campaign long after the vast majority of voters have arrived at a decision.