In advance of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there were negotiations over live microphones and arguments over who could attend. There was even a debate over what network it should be put on.

Historically, debates offer an opportunity for political candidates to provide substantive details about their platforms. But in 2024, more attention is paid to spectacle.

Now that the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is over, is it time to focus on the importance of debates and the substance intended to be offered to the American people?

Today on The Wheelhouse, the evolution of public political discourse.

GUESTS:
Dr. Bilal Sekou, Associate professor of politics and government, University of Hartford
Jonathan Wharton, Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
Julian E. Zelizer, Professor of history and public affairs, Princeton University
Kathryn Cramer Brownell, Associate professor of history, Purdue University

In advance of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there were negotiations over <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/post/abc-news-releases-rules-2024-presidential-debate-between-kamala-harris-donald-trump-philadelphia/15268377/">live microphones</a> and arguments over <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/05/presidential-debate-time-how-to-watch/">who could attend</a>. There was even a <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-abc-news-debate-1949102">debate over what network it should be put on</a>.
Historically, debates offer an opportunity for political candidates to provide substantive details about their platforms. But in 2024, more attention is paid to spectacle.
Now that the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is over, is it time to focus on the importance of debates and the substance intended to be offered to the American people?
Today on The Wheelhouse, the evolution of public political discourse.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.hartford.edu/directory/hillyer/sekou-bilal.aspx">Dr. Bilal Sekou</a>, Associate professor of politics and government, University of Hartford</li>
<li><a href="https://www.southernct.edu/directory/whartonj1">Jonathan Wharton</a>, Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University</li>
<li><a href="https://history.princeton.edu/people/julian-e-zelizer">Julian E. Zelizer</a>, Professor of history and public affairs, Princeton University</li>
<li><a href="https://www.cla.purdue.edu/directory/profiles/kathryn-cramer-brownell.html">Kathryn Cramer Brownell</a>, Associate professor of history, Purdue University</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

Connecticut Public's Talk shows help you navigate all the issues and candidates during election season.

From your weekly dose of politics on The Wheelhouse to deep dives on the issues on shows like The Colin McEnroe Show and Disrupted we've got you covered. 

Connecticut Public's Talk shows help you navigate all the issues and candidates during election season.
From your weekly dose of politics on The Wheelhouse to deep dives on the issues on shows like The Colin McEnroe Show and Disrupted we've got you covered.

Election 2024 playlist that HITS...on the issues

Substance vs. Spectacle: A look at presidential debates

The polls have closed and votes are still being counted.

As the 2024 elections come and go, a powerhouse panel of experts will be there for Connecticut residents to take stock in what’s left to determine our political future.

Today on the Wheelhouse, analysis of what we know so far. Plus, hear from some winners in races that were already decided.

GUESTS:
Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror
Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3
Bilal Sekou:Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford

The polls have closed and votes are still being counted.
As the 2024 elections come and go, a powerhouse panel of experts will be there for Connecticut residents to take stock in what’s left to determine our political future.
Today on the Wheelhouse, analysis of what we know so far. Plus, hear from some winners in races that were already decided.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/mpazniokas/">Mark Pazniokas</a>, Capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">Susan Raff</a>, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3</li>
<li><a href="https://www.hartford.edu/directory/hillyer/sekou-bilal.aspx">Bilal Sekou</a><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">:</a> Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford</li>
</ul>

Election 2024...The Morning After…

You voted — and now it’s time to find out.

Throughout 2024, the Wheelhouse team has asked Connecticut residents about the issues, interviewed candidates for Congress, unpacked the assassination attempts on Donald Trump, and watched as Democrats coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris.

Now, it’s time to clock in on election night…and find out where state residents really stand.

Tonight, The Wheelhouse will dive into what we know and what comes next as the polls close.

GUESTS:
Leah Wright Rigueur: Author and SNF Agora Institute associate professor of history, Johns Hopkins University
Mercy Quaye:Founder and President at The Narrative Project; Columnist for CT Mirror and Editor of CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board
Charles Venator-Santiago: Associate professor of political science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut
Jonathan Wharton: Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University

You voted — and now it’s time to find out.
Throughout 2024, the Wheelhouse team has asked<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-wheelhouse/covering-the-election-issues-you-care-about"> Connecticut residents about the issues</a>, interviewed <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-wheelhouse/2024-10-02/election-2024-connecticuts-3rd-congressional-district">candidates for Congress</a>, unpacked the assassination attempts on <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-wheelhouse/2024-07-17/political-violence-mars-an-already-devolving-race-for-the-white-house">Donald Trump</a>, and watched as <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-wheelhouse/2024-07-22/wheelhouse-special-edition-biden-drops-out">Democrats coalesced around Vice President Kamala</a> Harris.
Now, it’s time to clock in on election night…and find out where state residents really stand.
Tonight, The Wheelhouse will dive into what we know and what comes next as the polls close.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://history.jhu.edu/directory/leah-wright-rigueur/">Leah Wright Rigueur</a>: <a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691173641/the-loneliness-of-the-black-republican?srsltid=AfmBOoqwFQAAWZraDEZ3wkzD_cUVZ_IWcIS2lLqicQTv9qShCjfGlApx">Author</a> and SNF Agora Institute associate professor of history, Johns Hopkins University</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/mquaye/">Mercy Quaye</a>: Founder and President at The Narrative Project; Columnist for CT Mirror and Editor of CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board</li>
<li><a href="https://polisci.uconn.edu/person/charles-venator-santiago/">Charles Venator-Santiago</a>: Associate professor of political science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut</li>
<li><a href="https://www.southernct.edu/directory/whartonj1">Jonathan Wharton</a>: Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University</li>
</ul>

The Wheelhouse: CT Election Night 2024 

In one week, voters across America will go to the polls.

But before they do, voters in Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district will get to hear from two candidates running for a congressional seat.

This hour, we talk with Congressman Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and challenger Mike France, a Republican. And after that, our panel of guests share their insights on what the candidates had to say.

GUESTS:
Rep. Joe Courtney , (D-Conn.)
Mike France, Candidate for Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district
Charles Venator Santiago, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut
Paul Choiniere, Retired editorial page editor, The Day

In one week, voters across America will go to the polls.
But before they do, voters in Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district will get to hear from two candidates running for a congressional seat.
This hour, we talk with Congressman Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and challenger Mike France, a Republican. And after that, our panel of guests share their insights on what the candidates had to say.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://courtney.house.gov/">Rep. Joe Courtney </a>, (D-Conn.)</li>
<li><a href="https://votemikefrance.com/">Mike France</a>, Candidate for Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district</li>
<li><a href="https://today.uconn.edu/author/tjb97003/">Charles Venator Santiago</a>, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut</li>
<li><a href="https://www.theday.com/section/columns/">Paul Choiniere</a>, Retired editorial page editor, The Day</li>
</ul>

Substance vs. Spectacle: A look at presidential debates

Election 2024 playlist that HITS...on the issues

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