As an indication that people are increasingly interested in the forthcoming elections, the Vice Presidential debate held on October 2nd attracted as many as 39 million viewers. These were viewers as recorded on eight major television networks, showing a sustained interest on the part of the populace in political discourse.
The vice-presidential candidates debated on a suite of networks that included ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Univision, and PBS. This wide distribution certainly helped to bump up the viewer totals, because so many viewers from several different demographics could tune in.
Remarkably, this is more than many earlier records of viewership of vice-presidential debates, reflecting an increased interest in what the candidates had to say about key national issues. It would appear that, in an increasingly politicized climate, voters have a decided interest in the credentials and policies of those individuals who may achieve the nation's second-highest office.
Analysts say the growing viewership can be attributed to many factors, not the least of which are the rather contentious nature of the current political climate and the pivotal role the vice-presidential candidates are expected to play in the next administration. Thirdly, as election day approaches, such high-profile events afford crucial insight into voters that just might sway the way they will vote.
The debate itself ranged in topic from critical issues such as health care and immigration, to economic and foreign policy. Both candidates spoke of their positions and argued their respective party platforms. Clearly, the high stakes and potential impact of their respective policies on the electorate played a big role in the interest in the debate.
The debate was discussed on all different social media platforms, making the outreach and audience even wider. Trending on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, the different hashtags regarding the event only proved that political engagement does not end with traditional media; rather, it exists in the digital world, too.
That's one benchmark of viewership, shining light on the critical function debates occupy in democratic processes. With election day drawing close for the country, the insight derived from such debates will be highly valuable to the electorate in making their choices. With the expectation already high, future political events are set for similar high levels of public interest, acting as a yardstick for the dynamism of the political discourses at the moment.
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Author: Liam Carter
