Last night was a perfect example of why we need another debate format. Debates are supposed to be about giving each side the freedom to present their own view in coherent fashion. Allowing only 2 minute segments with the moderator and candidate interrupting each other is the opposite of a worthwhile debate and using one-line zingers to p…
Last night was a perfect example of why we need another debate format. Debates are supposed to be about giving each side the freedom to present their own view in coherent fashion. Allowing only 2 minute segments with the moderator and candidate interrupting each other is the opposite of a worthwhile debate and using one-line zingers to pick a President is about as sensible as picking the next Presidents name out of a hat.
If there are enough people in our country wish to see honest political debates, I suggest something similar to the Lincoln/Douglas debates, where each candidate gets an uninterrupted 15 minute to lay out his policies, followed by a pair of alternating and uninterrupted 10 minute segments, followed by a pair of alternating and uninterrupted 5 minute sessions. The only role of the moderator would be to time the sessions and give each candidate an extra 30 seconds if they went slightly over the time limit.
If people want a moderated debate with tough questions, I suggest each party choose a Congressmen/Senator to ask questions of the opposing party's candidate. For example, Jordan/Cruz might be the ones asking Biden questions and AOC/Sanders might be asking Trump questions. The questions would be limited to 1-2 minutes in time with the answers limited to 5 minutes, with no interruptions permitted. That type of moderated debate would ensure that each candidate faces what the other party considers as tough questions.
Last night was a perfect example of why we need another debate format. Debates are supposed to be about giving each side the freedom to present their own view in coherent fashion. Allowing only 2 minute segments with the moderator and candidate interrupting each other is the opposite of a worthwhile debate and using one-line zingers to pick a President is about as sensible as picking the next Presidents name out of a hat.
If there are enough people in our country wish to see honest political debates, I suggest something similar to the Lincoln/Douglas debates, where each candidate gets an uninterrupted 15 minute to lay out his policies, followed by a pair of alternating and uninterrupted 10 minute segments, followed by a pair of alternating and uninterrupted 5 minute sessions. The only role of the moderator would be to time the sessions and give each candidate an extra 30 seconds if they went slightly over the time limit.
If people want a moderated debate with tough questions, I suggest each party choose a Congressmen/Senator to ask questions of the opposing party's candidate. For example, Jordan/Cruz might be the ones asking Biden questions and AOC/Sanders might be asking Trump questions. The questions would be limited to 1-2 minutes in time with the answers limited to 5 minutes, with no interruptions permitted. That type of moderated debate would ensure that each candidate faces what the other party considers as tough questions.