Even at that, Renwick also does not think the candidates have said very much about their platforms. Since Medicare and prescription drugs affect people in their 60s or older, the issue may soon be a moot point. Comparisons can be made to the 1960 election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, he said. Some people think it all depends on who wins the televised debates. Renwick believes that is not generally the case.
Most people stay with their person, and basically the debates reinforce their opinions.
He said that the debates so far this year have not seen big errors by either candidate. In the second one, Gore certainly improved stylistically and Bush improved substantively. Misery Index and Temperature Factor Renwick speaks a great deal about the elections in the classroom. He was on sabbatical last year, but teaches three classes this year. Two things he teaches about presidents and their relationship with the public are the Misery Index and Temperature Factor, theories to predict the outcome of a presidential election.