Debate is a common feature of democracy and can help voters compare candidates and decide which one to support. However, debates are not all created equal and the format can greatly influence which candidate appears more competent or relatable to voters.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) oversees the organization and production of political debates in the United States. It does not receive funding from any government or political party, and it is made up of “distinguished Americans who are not politicians.”
CPD debates follow a set structure. Each candidate is given 2 minutes to answer a question. During the debate, there is often a back and forth between the two candidates where each can respond to the previous statement made by the other. This is usually followed by a short closing statement from each candidate. The debates are also moderated by a person selected by the CPD. The moderator selects the questions and is not familiar with the candidates’ campaigns. The candidates’ campaigns are not involved in the moderator selection process and the campaigns do not have a chance to review the questions beforehand.
Most people agree that political debate is a valuable part of democracy, but many disagree on how these debates should be conducted. Some believe that they should be free of conflict and point scoring, while others think that they should be more structured with a fixed number of participants and predetermined topics. Regardless of the format, those who participate in and watch political debates seem to agree that the debates should be informative and not “canned.” They should focus on issues of interest to voters and include both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.