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“Speed dating” candidates

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Illinois

* Buried under all the Madigan coverage in this story about a recent Decatur candidates forum was this little nugget…

Before the debates between state legislative candidates, potential voters got to pose questions to candidates for county office in a “speed-dating” format. Office seekers from both parties for county sheriff, county treasurer and county clerk spoke to six different groups of voters.

“It was a nice way to learn about the candidates,” said Dianne Lutt, a retiree from Decatur. “What you didn’t know you could learn from them (directly).”

I’ve never heard of that before, but it sounds really interesting. Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 9:37 am

Comments

It beats the heck out of the tired, worn out, scripted, repetitive boring ‘debate’ format. This seems to offer catching a candidate actually portraying an authentic personality.

Comment by Matts Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 9:41 am
Great idea. I wonder why no one thought of it before. There are certain questions I would like to ask that the media has not thought of asking.

Comment by Maestro Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 9:49 am
Brilliant idea. Never heard of it either.

Comment by Just Observing Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 9:51 am
This sounds awesome. Especially in today’s political world where our system continues to be distorted and perverted in ways that hurt democracy and public discourse.

Comment by Em Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 9:52 am
Certainly more useful than watching the candidates dodge questions in a “debate.”

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 10:12 am
I think this is nothing short of brilliant. I wish I’d thought of it myself.

Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 10:17 am
A dem group in far south Cook/northern Will did this format with the Dem Attorney General Candidates, first time i saw any group do this and with the number of candidates for one office it worked well, this will catch on.

Comment by Belden Ave. Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 10:48 am
Love it

Comment by WSJ Paywall Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 11:02 am
Love it.

“Speaker Madigan, do you like pina coladas? Getting caught in the rain….?”

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 19, 18 @ 11:21 am