I decided several elections back that these "debates" are in fact media driven carnival sideshow level productions. Jerry Springer Productions Inc. Let the party and the candidate submit a written synopsis of their platform and goals if elected, let it be examined by the public, let the fact checkers check, allow each candidate one and only one rebuttal, shut it down and vote ten days later. Done.
Currently....It all stinks of the "Voted onto the Island " reality show.
1. Voters are too lazy to read.
2. People love watching train wrecks.
3. Debates are a fact of all facets of political life.
