Opinion: See what a little drama can do?

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Well, the folks at CNN have to be happy campers this morning. They’re reporting that more than 4 million people tuned into last night’s Democratic debate from Las Vegas -- which they say is a record for a primary debate aired on cable. Previous debates this season have been in the 1.7 million to 2.4 million range.

Now maybe a few of those viewers saw the ‘Vegas’ part of the pre-debate ads and thought they were tuning into a ‘CSI’ episode, but we doubt it (there won’t be any new ones for awhile, anyway). The better theory: The lead up to the debate portrayed it as a potential pivotal moment in the campaign. Would Hillary Clinton regain her footing? Would ‘the boys’ move in for the kill?

One poll we’d like to see, and the technology is out there, is a real-time survey of viewers measuring their real-time reactions. Did Barack Obama really blow it? Was John Edwards being too harsh? Was Bill Richardson too cute with his ‘Well, by the way, I’m Bill Richardson. I’m Governor of New Mexico’ line?

But remember, all numbers are relative. Sure, 4 million viewers sounds like a lot. But ‘CSI’ routinely draws more than 20 million viewers. And in 2004, 126 million people voted in the presidential election.

So look at is this way. Four million is a lot when it comes with your winning lottery ticket, not so much when you’re counting TV viewers. But it’s better than not getting 4 million viewers.... You know, that sounds an awful lot like a debate answer, doesn’t it?

-- Scott Martelle