Althouse: Debate ratings.

December 21, 2015

Debate ratings.

"Just out: TRUMP GOP DEBATE - 18,000,000. CLINTON DEMOCRAT DEBATE - 6,700,000. And they were on major network vs. cable!"

44 comments:

damikesc said...: Nobody wants to watch a fictional debate.

And that there is an actual debate on the Dem side is a myth.; 12/21/15, 11:23 AM
CJinPA said...: Looking forward to 2017, when every White House announcement will end with an exclamation point!; 12/21/15, 11:24 AM
B said...: DNC is probably going to hang a Mission Accomplished banner. Hillary's coronation continues unabated.; 12/21/15, 11:25 AM
JAORE said...: LOL. Leave it to the Donald to present the difference as it were a measure of HIS ratings.; 12/21/15, 11:32 AM
Greg Hlatky said...: DNC used everything except a Flit gun to kill this. I'm surprised it didn't run concurrently with "Sunrise Service" or "Latino Perspectives."; 12/21/15, 11:34 AM
traditionalguy said...: And most of the watchers on ABC were illegals on welfare. Nobody else had to put themselves through watching that crap.; 12/21/15, 11:45 AM
Anonymous said...: Of course. The Republican debates are mostly entertainment. I wager a good percentage of those millions of viewers wanted to see a good show and they got one. The DNC debates are serious debates on the issues with substantial questions and answers. I did however, think the last Republican debate an vast improvement on the other two or three before it. There were excellent questions and some of the candidates did a very good job answering, giving details and policies. Then you have Tump, yes he is yours.

On the Morning Joe show this AM, one of the commentators mentioned that Trump does even better with Republicans by 6 points in online surveys than in telephone surveys. I think this guy is going to be the Republican nominee, obviously he resonates with most of you folks. Two of Althouse's recent polls also reflect that the majority here side with Trump and we know that the vast majority here are conservative.; 12/21/15, 11:57 AM
damikesc said...: LOL. Leave it to the Donald to present the difference as it were a measure of HIS ratings.

Take away Trump and the GOP ratings would be significantly lower. I have no doubt about that.; 12/21/15, 11:58 AM
Brando said...: Politics aside, it's easy to see why this is. In the Dem "debate", you really have a pretend race where they all are really there to give the impression Hillary is "earning" the nomination. But no one has attacked her ethics, record, promises or any other weak points. So what is there to watch?

In the GOP debates, there's insults flying, and plenty of takedowns coming from all directions. It's legitimately entertaining.; 12/21/15, 12:08 PM
AllenS said...: Might be different if the Democrats had a debate. Very few want to watch people kiss Hillary's ass.; 12/21/15, 12:08 PM
Dan Hossley said...: The DNC's plan is working. They don't want a big audience hearing what they say during the primaries. It makes it that more difficult for them in the general election.; 12/21/15, 12:09 PM
n.n said...: "Hope and Change" is ceding its position to inspiration and action.; 12/21/15, 12:18 PM
damikesc said...: Who wants to watch Bernie act like a puppy dog begging for his master's affection?; 12/21/15, 12:30 PM
buwaya said...: "LOL. Leave it to the Donald to present the difference as it were a measure of HIS ratings."

But they are his ratings. And he has a fine supporting cast too.; 12/21/15, 12:48 PM
Kansas City said...: Hey Ann, is there any legitimate reason from a woman's perspective for Hillary being unwilling to go into a women's restroom with multiple stalls until the restroom was empty. She kept millions of views and her opponents waiting while she stayed outside the restroom until a woman occupying one of the stalls finished and left.; 12/21/15, 12:52 PM
Bay Area Guy said...: The Dems aren't interested in debates -- they are a nuisance that simply must be endured.

It is good that Trump points out the huge discrepancy in viewership -- 18 Mill to 6 Mill.

Why doesn't the NYTimes point this out?; 12/21/15, 12:53 PM
rcocean said...: I'm surprised 6.7 million watched. Why? Sanders is in the tank for Hillary, he proved that when he refused to attack her over e-mails. Plus, both of them are boring as hell. Where's the fresh new blood in the Democrat party?; 12/21/15, 1:02 PM
holdfast said...: Might be different if the Democrats had a debate. Very few want to watch people kiss Hillary's colostomy bag.

FIFY; 12/21/15, 1:26 PM
Anonymous said...: What's funny is all the Trump = Hitler comparisons. I watched Bernie at the debate some. That guy is one hideous, angry, petulant old man. His speeches are full of the same righteous anger as Hitler speeches were.

He seemed far closer to Hitler rather than Trump's 'happy warrior' persona. But he is a Socialist, so he's closer to Hitler anyway.; 12/21/15, 1:30 PM
MadisonMan said...: Plus, both of them are boring as hell.

They're both quite old. Being interesting takes more energy than they have.; 12/21/15, 1:36 PM
dwick said...: Amanda on 12/21/15 @ 11:57 AM said ...
"...The DNC debates are serious debates on the issues with substantial questions and answers..."

So serious your folks' leading candidate didn't feel any sense of urgency to return to the debate stage on time from a break?
If the DNC debates are so serious with such substantial questions and answers, why are they buried at times hardly anybody but the Julia-types like you will be listening/watching? The last Saturday night before Christmas opposite an NFL game between teams from two major media markets?; 12/21/15, 1:36 PM
Carol said...: No, no, no..old Democrat radical = cute and lovable. Old Republican radical = Hitler.

I've got to admit that I've liked some cute old radicals I had but that's because it plays against type (old = conservative), and you assume they're harmless. But it's not true, Bernie could do a lot of harm in office.; 12/21/15, 1:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Sanders refused to make a spectacle of the Democratic debate, one of the reasons he didn't attack Clinton, plus the matter was equitably settled after the initial brouhaha. During the debate they had legitimate differences of opinion on several issues and those issues were debated well.p and as thourghly as time permitted. Personal attacks were kept to a minimal. You're not going to see many Democrats bite off their noses to spite their face like Republicans are doing. Cohesiveness is something Democrats are good at, because we understand what the alternative is. It's the idea that we are stronger together than apart. Something Republicans haven't really learned in their quest for individuality at the cost of the whole.; 12/21/15, 1:51 PM
Anonymous said...: Dwick, neither you nor I know what delayed Clinton from getting back from the break. The network erred by resuming without her. They could've played another one or two commercials.; 12/21/15, 1:54 PM
mccullough said...: Trump is running against the direction the country has been going in the last 25 years, maybe even the last 50 years.

We've had a bunch of useless wars from Vietnam through Afghanistan, allowed third world immigration thw majority of whom have remained mostly poorer and less educated. They are a drain on government spending at all levels, much like the majority of blacks who no matter how much money is spent continue to live dysfunctional lives.

We have a 2 million person military that is made up of 90% support jobs for the 200,000 soldiers who actually do the fighting between j our useless wars. These combat soldiers are disproportionately from white working class backgrounds (i.e. the bitter clingers).

And since 1993, the country has had to deal with radical Islamists, mostly Arab, who blame their shit existence in part on the US, whose leaders have spent more time and energy pretending to be the Grand Mufti of the United States telling the public what true Islam is and is not while our friends the Saudis continue to spend billions spreading Wahhabism throughout Islamic countries.; 12/21/15, 2:12 PM
buwaya said...: " because we understand what the alternative is"

Considering whats actually happening on the ground, it seems to me, a neutral, foreign observer, that the conservative side is FAR more concerned with the alternative. The desperation is difficult to miss. For heavens sake, there are millions of people arming, openly, for an uprising. There is no misunderstanding this.; 12/21/15, 2:20 PM
Achilles said...: Amanda said...

"Something Republicans haven't really learned in their quest for individuality at the cost of the whole."

The republican party is a worthless anachronism. But people who vote for republicans are interested in the integrity and mental acuity of the people they vote for.

The people who vote for democrats don't mind being lied to or taken advantage of. They don't understand that democrats give them free abortions and some food stamps and keep them stupid and poor, and the benefit of the whole is actually the benefit of the wealthy people that own GE and Goldman Sachs. Hillary does favors for foreign cronies too.; 12/21/15, 2:32 PM
damikesc said...: The DNC debates are serious debates on the issues with substantial questions and answers.

No, it really isn't. It's everybody doing all they can to cover for Hillary while pretending to be trying to be nominated. The DNC has worked hard to program the debates on days nobody is watching and then making them insufferably dull to boot.

Dwick, neither you nor I know what delayed Clinton from getting back from the break.

She's very old and easily confused. We can figure out why.; 12/21/15, 2:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Achilles,
Integrity and mental acuity? Trump? What I observe is this: conservatives and Republicans have an uncanny ability to turn their candidate of choice into what they would like him to be, not what he really is. What integrity or mental acuity has Trump displayed? Any ruthless person of normal intelligence can be a demagogue.; 12/21/15, 3:49 PM
Anonymous said...: And Achilles, conservatives think that if they vote for billionaires, they too can become one. They have no idea how the system is rigged against those in the middle and poor working classes for that to happen. it may be a "talking point", but it's one with much truth behind it.; 12/21/15, 3:52 PM
Anonymous said...: "She's very old.."

"They're both quite old."

She's a year younger than Trump. Repeatedly, we see ageism in these threads when it comes to Clinton and Sanders. What "ism" don't conservatives glom onto with relish?; 12/21/15, 4:03 PM
Gusty Winds said...: Kansas City said... Hey Ann, is there any legitimate reason from a woman's perspective for Hillary being unwilling to go into a women's restroom with multiple stalls until the restroom was empty?.

She pees standing up.; 12/21/15, 4:46 PM
Kansas City said...: Funny on the pee standing up.

It is reported that she was late because she was unwilling to share a multi stall restroom with another woman.

http://nypost.com/2015/12/21/this-is-why-hillary-was-late-getting-back-to-the-debate-stage/

I'm not fan of Trump, but I could see him much more effectively painting Hillary as low energy and old, since Trump is the same age and obviously not low energy. It might be devastating in painting Hillary as a dithering old woman.; 12/21/15, 5:31 PM
Theranter said...: "She pees standing up"

It could be an affliction that some women have, they literally cannot pee if someone can hear. Bizarre, but true, and not that uncommon.; 12/21/15, 5:45 PM
dwick said...: Amanda on 12/21/15 @ 1:54 PM said...
"Dwick, neither you nor I know what delayed Clinton from getting back from the break. The network erred by resuming without her. They could've played another one or two commercials."

LOL - after all the years of the major media network's covering for the Clintons - you have the nerve to blame the network for Hillary's faux pas here? What? She doesn't have a watch or handlers to tell her how much time she has left? You obviously have no clue how these types of live TV events work - there are strict schedules for national and local cut-aways and cut-in times... and the commercial time is all paid for in advance. You don't just 'run another one or two commercials' - even for her majesty Hillary Clinton. You folks always prattling on about 'fairness' - how would that be fair to the other debate participants that were back on stage on time and ready to go?
And we DO know what delayed the queen from getting back on time - she was going potty... it's been reported in numerous news outlets.; 12/21/15, 6:13 PM
buwaya said...: "Any ruthless person of normal intelligence can be a demagogue."

This is NOT true. A mere brutal blowhard attracts no one - I know, I have known many ruthless people. A demagogue implies someone with an ability to appeal to his audience and convince, and Trump can do this in a way that I am not qualified to evaluate as whatever he does does not work well on me - or you, probably. He draws tens of thousands to hear him speak in person, across the country, without advertising, without institutional backing, where other candidates and even the President are lucky to draw hundreds.
This is obvious talent and skill, in spite of my inability to understand it.; 12/21/15, 6:34 PM
Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...: Bernie claims the networks wanted their debate to air opposite a major football game as a conspiracy to shill for Hillary by suppressing publicity of events like this in which she's effectively challenged by him.; 12/21/15, 6:59 PM
Bob Loblaw said...: Who wants to watch Bernie act like a puppy dog begging for his master's affection?

At this point Bernie isn't even trying to win; he's just trying to move the Overton window a bit toward socialism. It's not a debate - it's a coronation.; 12/21/15, 8:33 PM
Michael said...: R&b
Bernie was correct.; 12/21/15, 8:39 PM
cliff claven said...: Hillary was doing some blow and getting her carpet munched, that's why she needed privacy. Inga/Allie Oop/Amanda seems medicated after her latest meltdown. Good for her.; 12/21/15, 9:26 PM
Jason said...: Damn, that liberal conceit is nauseating.; 12/21/15, 10:28 PM
Brando said...: "Dwick, neither you nor I know what delayed Clinton from getting back from the break. The network erred by resuming without her. They could've played another one or two commercials."

Yes, because time itself must always stop for the Clintons. Bill at least has a well known habit of always being very late for everything, which is a sign of a truly inconsiderate person--sounds like his wife picked up that habit from him.

They are dangerous people to put back in charge, and liberals like yourself would be wise to back another horse. The Clintons will not only sell you out (as they have so many times before) but they are likely to leave in such scandal that it could drag down the Democrats for a very long time.

Not that I care what happens to the Dems, but the damage they might do to this country and the rule of law is something I'd rather not see.; 12/22/15, 6:01 AM
damikesc said...: Integrity and mental acuity? Trump? What I observe is this: conservatives and Republicans have an uncanny ability to turn their candidate of choice into what they would like him to be, not what he really is.

Remember that goofy, jug-eared idiot you elected in 2008?

Any ruthless person of normal intelligence can be a demagogue.

See Obama, Barack.

Also, Clinton, Hillary.

Sanders, Bernie.

And Achilles, conservatives think that if they vote for billionaires, they too can become one.

No. But we know leftists thought Obama would pay for their mortgages for them.

They have no idea how the system is rigged against those in the middle and poor working classes for that to happen. it may be a "talking point", but it's one with much truth behind it.

It is. And you support the party rigging the system against them.

She's a year younger than Trump. Repeatedly, we see ageism in these threads when it comes to Clinton and Sanders. What "ism" don't conservatives glom onto with relish?

Remember 2008? Dems shouldn't start a battle they cannot win. McCain was too old to be President. Meanwhile, Sanders has a Social Security number of "1" and Clinton knew Roosevelt personally.

Teddy Roosevelt.; 12/22/15, 7:02 AM
Sammy Finkelman said...: neither you nor I know what delayed Clinton from getting back from the break

It's been published.

She wanted to go to the bathroom, but an aide to Martin O'Malley was suing the bathroom too. The aide had asked permission from a Hillary person and been given the OK.

There was more than one stall in that women's bathroom, but Hillary has a privacy rule.

Possible reasons:

1) Bill has some trusted people watching her, and doesn't want to give her an opportunity to pass on secret messages or something and she's still listening to Bill.

2) She herself is afraid she might reveal something.

3) She has bruises (from falling) and wants to keep that a secret.; 12/22/15, 4:41 PM