This past Wednesday, April 16th, Senators Clinton and Obama faced off for the twenty-sixth time.

Now I must admit– I have long since stopped caring about the debates and I am dangerously close to apathy with regards to the DNC.

Moreover, I am of the opinion that after the first few debates they become pointless and simply a chance for candidates to get free TV time.

A debate could be held where moderators ask questions and the studio uses old footage of the candidates answering because seriously guys—THERE IS NOTHING NEW TO ADD!

Take this last debate for instance:

The first portion concerned a controversial comment Obama made two weeks ago while in San Francisco. He stated that small towns in Pennsylvania and elsewhere have been seeing jobs disappear over the past 25 years.

“It’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations,”

He later apologized for the poor wording of his statement, saying that the underlying truth of his statement remained unchanged—people are rightfully frustrated because they have seen their way of life drastically and unapologetically changed over the past few years.

Clinton and McCain both took the opportunity to label Obama as an elitist out of touch with the electorate.

The debate, then, was simply a chance for Hilary to continue her attack and Barack to continue his defense.

Moderator George Stephanopolous then turned on the heat asking each candidate if the he/she thought the other could beat Senator McCain.

Are you kidding me? What kind of question is that and why should I as a voter give a damn if Obama thinks Clinton could win or vice versa?

Discussion then turned to good ol’ Reverent Jeremiah Wright. I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit sick of that whole controversy—yes the man made really horribly insensitive comments- concerning HIV and concerning 9/11. But he’s not the guy on the ballot.

Regardless, however, this issue is being beaten to death. The next question Stephanopoulos asked says it all: “Do you think Reverend Wright loves America as much as you do?” – Dear George—as a voter I really don’t care whether Obama or Reverend Wright love America more—love as an emotion has little to do with the nuts and bolts of leadership and governance.

But even when the debate finally got away from the mud-slinging the rest was equally predictable:

Both candidates opposed McCain’s stance on the economy.

Both reiterated their opposition to Iran as a nuclear power.

Both also stated that they were committed to pulling the troops out or Iraq.

So I rest my case—by the 26th time around, a debate is a total waste of time. So why do they happen?

In the end I think it’s simply part of the “great game” of politics. The song that never ends…