Debate

[flashpig]

I've just watched the Cheney/Edwards debate and was curious about the chairperson allocating time (30 seconds, 90 seconds etc).

How does the chair decide how long each has to respond, and how do the people debating know how long they are talking? I didn't see any timers on their desks. Plus it must be difficult giving a punchy answer with an eye on the clock.

[dafyd]

The rules for the debates were negotiated by the campaigns, including how long each candidate could talk for and respond. As for knowing how long they've been talking: they don't. They have to keep track of it themselves. Giving a proper answer quickly is the point...

[Yinzer]

I thought I saw some little round colored lights in front of them, like red for shut up, green for go and yellow for wrap it up. Maybe the lights were for something else but I definitely did see them.