Spanish-speaking debate?

[MODU]

Maybe.  This would actually be interesting to watch.

"Spanish TV puts '08 hopefuls into a bind"

Univision, the nation’s largest Spanish-language TV network, has presented the ’08 presidential candidates with a problem. It has invited them to take part in debates in Spanish and thus forced them to choose between snubbing Spanish-speaking voters and displaying their ignorance of the language.

Univision has invited the presidential candidates to attend two debates in Florida in September in which the questions will be asked in Spanish, according to Democratic and GOP sources. Fluent candidates could answer in Spanish, while the others can answer in English and have their questions translated into Spanish.

A Democratic official familiar with the schedule said Democrats have been invited to attend a debate at the University of Miami during the weekend after Labor Day. Republicans have been asked to debate at the same location the following weekend, the source added.

Univision declined to comment for this story.

(Cont...)

[Joe Republic]

Is Bill Richardson fluent?

[°Leprechaun]

How many of the "top 18" are fluent in Spanish?
How many can "get by" (not fluent, but know enough to communicate)?

[°Leprechaun]

I think this is a very good idea, assuming that at least two in each party are fluent.

[MODU]

Is Bill Richardson fluent?

Yes

How many of the "top 18" are fluent in Spanish?
How many can "get by" (not fluent, but know enough to communicate)?

I think there are 4 or 5 that are either fluent or educated.  I know Newt has been taking Spanish classes for a year, so if he were to enter the race by then he could do well.  The article says that those who do not know the language would have a translator available for their use.

[°Leprechaun]

"The Spanish-language format of the Univision debate would benefit New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) and Sen. Chris Dodd (D), the only top-tier candidates who speak Spanish fluently."

How the devil do they define "top-tier"?

[°Leprechaun]

Is Bill Richardson fluent?

Yes

How many of the "top 18" are fluent in Spanish?
How many can "get by" (not fluent, but know enough to communicate)?

I think there are 4 or 5 that are either fluent or educated.  I know Newt has been taking Spanish classes for a year, so if he were to enter the race by then he could do well.  The article says that those who do not know the language would have a translator available for their use.

Will they have subtitles in English?


What about having a debate in Chinese, Japanese, Javanese, Hindi, Hawaiian or Latin for that matter?

But seriously, all kidding aside, I think this is a very good idea - we need to encourage people to learn Spanish; likewise we need to encourage people in the US to learn English, but that goes without saying, doesn't it?

[MODU]

I just want to see Tancredo on the stage. 

[Alcon]

I just want to see Tancredo on the stage. 

He'd probably mistake the debate moderator for the parking attendant.

[Eraserhead]

This would be funny but rather absurd.

[Bacon King]

My ability to comprehend spanish is sub-par at best, but I'd watch it.

[Conan]

Just some random information: Bloomberg takes spanish lessons for two hours a day. He is pretty fluent now, as displayed on his recent trip to Mexico.

[DuEbrithil]

Sorry for all you spanish speakers out there, but this is a horrible idea. I have no problem with my next president speaking spanish, in fact I would encourage it, also to speak german and french and japanese and all of the other languages of the world. It believe it would promote better general understanding in the world. My problem is, is that this is America and we speak english. If you dont speak english and would like to vote either learn or find somebody that does and ask them what is going on. I hate to be "discriminatory" but in America we speak english. If i were to go to france, I would learn some french. If I were to go to germany, I would learn some german. Italy, spain, japan, I would learn enough to get by in those respective languages.

[minionofmidas]

I think only those candidates that speak Spanish should attend.

[Alcon]

Sorry for all you spanish speakers out there, but this is a horrible idea. I have no problem with my next president speaking spanish, in fact I would encourage it, also to speak german and french and japanese and all of the other languages of the world. It believe it would promote better general understanding in the world. My problem is, is that this is America and we speak english. If you dont speak english and would like to vote either learn or find somebody that does and ask them what is going on. I hate to be "discriminatory" but in America we speak english. If i were to go to france, I would learn some french. If I were to go to germany, I would learn some german. Italy, spain, japan, I would learn enough to get by in those respective languages.

I understand where you're coming from, but for anyone who learned the language at 50 (or whatever), an English-language debate might be a little complicated to process.  It's not exactly the most plain-English thing out there.