Political debate is an essential part of our democracy. It enables voters to better understand candidates’ positions, priorities and core political messages. It allows citizens to form their vote choices and make informed decisions at a time when it is most critical for the nation. Debates were a powerful part of JFK’s 1960 election, and they have become a standard feature in presidential campaigns.
Yet the current format of these televised meetings has not kept pace with the American public’s changing viewing habits. In this new environment, political debate needs a major overhaul to be as effective as possible.
Debate Structure
The format of most televised debates is a hybrid of Sunday morning interviews and gladiatorial clashes. The moderator decides which questions are asked, and the campaigns have no input in this process. The candidates’ answers to the questions are often shaped by their desire to advance certain policy agendas or respond to specific attacks from their opponents and by their need to communicate their message to voters.
Debate Sites
Hosting universities spend tens of millions of dollars on buildings or retrofitting spaces to create debate halls that can accommodate thousands of campaign staffers, surrogates, media and audience members before and after the debate as well as the hundreds in each candidate’s party who travel to the venue. Streets are closed, and transportation systems are designed to move Secret Service motorcades and thousands of people in and out of the debate site.