When Candidates Attack?

This is the second post today - scroll down for the first. This is also my 450th post ever. I rant a lot, is what I'm trying to say.

Anyway, I've been watching CNN promote Thursday's upcoming Democratic debate in Las Vegas for the past couple of days, and I've noticed CNN ads that say things like this:

"On Thursday, THE GLOVES COME OFF!!!!" (TV spot, printed on the screen as pictures of the candidates and moderator Wolf Blitzer float by)

"Don't miss the Democrats go at it again in Las Vegas with CNN's Wolf Blitzer." (on CNN.com)

There was also something about a "Democratic showdown in Las Vegas" on the ticker at one point.

Does anyone else think it's absurd to have a debate promoted as some sort of bizarre cross between The Situation Room and WWE Smackdown? I'm sure there will be a lot of people disappointed if Edwards doesn't grab a chair and come after Clinton with it. Though I have to admit, the sight of Richardson body-slamming Biden and flexing to the crowd afterwards would be awesome.

But seriously, my confidence in this debate has been completely shot. Thanks to the marketing technique - and it's a sad commentary on our society that major political events are forced to adopt marketing techniques - Blitzer will be asking questions that are meant to elicit attacks on other candidates (or the Republicans) as opposed to questions that allow candidates to deliver meaningful policy statements. And guess what the news cycle after the debate will say - it will just validate the marketing technique.

I don't even know if I want to watch this debate. There doesn't seem to be a point. CNN has decided what we're going to see in advance. We're just one step short of having CNN hand the candidates scripted answers to their questions. And when that happens, Hulk Hogan should really start moderating these things.