The biggest question of Friday's debate is why is it happening at all
Friday's good for a lot of things: Being on your mind. Being in love. Getting down. What it is not good for, though, is a debate.
Still, here we are, just a few hours out from the eighth Democratic debate, which will air from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET during what is known in the TV industry as the "Friday night death slot," where shows typically go to die. While the debate is ostensibly programmed to help voters hear from candidates one last time before the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, the timing couldn't be worse, coming at the end of a week that has lasted — scientifically speaking — almost a decade. "Everybody wants to get out of town today," Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell (D) told Fox News' Chad Pergram. "This has been one of the worst weeks I can remember."
The Hill goes as far as to wonder who the debate is even supposed to benefit. "Ratings for debates historically decrease throughout each cycle," Max Greenwood notes, adding that "[t]here are also signs that voters are increasingly committed to their candidates of choice. A Monmouth University poll released on Thursday found that, in New Hampshire, nearly half of likely Democratic primary voters — 49 percent — are certain about whom they will vote for on Tuesday."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The National Review's Jim Geraghty adds that "I have not found any previous cases of presidential primary debates held on a Friday night, although it’s possible I’ve missed one." New York's Sarah Jones was even blunter: "It's a human rights violation to schedule a primary debate on a Friday night," she tweeted.
The Associated Press was also wondering what the whole point is. "Will this debate have real impact, or will the people of New Hampshire be otherwise occupied on a Friday night?" they asked. Just a hunch, but the latter seems like a safe bet.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - December 21, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - losing it, pedal to the metal, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Three fun, festive activities to make the magic happen this Christmas Day
Inspire your children to help set the table, stage a pantomime and write thank-you letters this Christmas!
By The Week Junior Published
-
The best books of 2024 to give this Christmas
The Week Recommends From Percival Everett to Rachel Clarke these are the critics' favourite books from 2024
By The Week UK Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published