The Pep Rally in Simi Valley
September 16, 2015 - On Wednesday night, 15 Republican Presidential contenders are going to take the stage at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. Ballotball.com is going to play referee. We aren’t going to pick a winner—you, the voter, should decide that for yourself. What we WILL do is help keep the bout civil by throwing flags and calling penalties in real time. So, tune in live on Wednesday night, and check back on Thursday to find out who was penalized the most, and (thanks to resources like FactCheck.org) who got caught fibbing.
Update: see debate results here.
Update: see debate results here.
The Undercard
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The Main Event
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* All candidates listed in alphabetical order.
The Rules
1. Candidates cannot bring phones, tablets, props, or notes to debate. But they will be supplied with a pad of paper, a pen, and a glass of water.
2. Candidates have one minute to answer each question.
3. 30 seconds will be added for a rebuttal.
4. Special bonus rule for undercard debate: If candidate says something particularly interesting, CNN will play that clip during main event!
2. Candidates have one minute to answer each question.
3. 30 seconds will be added for a rebuttal.
4. Special bonus rule for undercard debate: If candidate says something particularly interesting, CNN will play that clip during main event!
The Penalties
Delay of Game – 5 yards
Candidate goes over their allotted time limit.
Illegal Substitution – 5 yards
Candidate changes the subject or does not answer the question.
Holding – 10 yards
Candidate refuses to change the subject no matter what the question is (the opposite of illegal substitution, also more annoying).
Illegal Formation – 10 yards
Declaring they will do something as President that is flat-out impossible (e.g., traveling through time, chocolate-flavored unicorns, cloning Ronald Reagan).
Roughing the Passer – 15 yards
Tackling the opponent’s quarterback after they have thrown the ball. Not likely to happen Thursday, but you never know.
Tripping – 15 yards
Candidate loses train of thought (e.g., forgets which government agency they would cut when President).
Unsportsmanlike Conduct – 15 yards
Referring to any candidate or third party as Adolf Hitler, the Nazis, the Gestapo, Dr. Mengele, or any other orchestrator of the holocaust. (Exception: If the moderator asks about events in Europe from 1932-45).
Candidate goes over their allotted time limit.
Illegal Substitution – 5 yards
Candidate changes the subject or does not answer the question.
Holding – 10 yards
Candidate refuses to change the subject no matter what the question is (the opposite of illegal substitution, also more annoying).
Illegal Formation – 10 yards
Declaring they will do something as President that is flat-out impossible (e.g., traveling through time, chocolate-flavored unicorns, cloning Ronald Reagan).
Roughing the Passer – 15 yards
Tackling the opponent’s quarterback after they have thrown the ball. Not likely to happen Thursday, but you never know.
Tripping – 15 yards
Candidate loses train of thought (e.g., forgets which government agency they would cut when President).
Unsportsmanlike Conduct – 15 yards
Referring to any candidate or third party as Adolf Hitler, the Nazis, the Gestapo, Dr. Mengele, or any other orchestrator of the holocaust. (Exception: If the moderator asks about events in Europe from 1932-45).