The political debate is a structured discussion between candidates or party representatives on policy issues. Often, it includes time limits for answering questions and for rebuttal remarks. In addition, many of the debate rules also govern the order of speaking and the selection of topics to be discussed.
Debates can be a powerful tool for shaping the electoral process and the public’s perception of candidates. They can influence voting behavior, and they are often watched by millions of voters on television. The debate format also affects the quality of debate, and a good debate requires that participants think through their answers carefully, avoid personal attacks, and speak in a clear and understandable voice.
Since the League of Women Voters (LWV) refused to acquiesce to campaigns’ demands that they control presidential debates, resulting in Jimmy Carter refusing to participate in 1980, nonpartisan sponsoring organizations have served as stewards of Congressional and Presidential debates with a voter-centric role in defining debate participants, ensuring equal time, and setting rules. The Citizens’ Debate Commission (CDP) has developed a comprehensive set of nonpartisan criteria to determine the extend of debate invitations and to provide a consistent framework for debate participation in the United States.
The CPD carefully weighs several factors—including early voting, religious and federal holidays, and other milestone events—and White House television pool contractual conflicts, in order to fairly apply the debate criteria. This enables the CPD to invite the most qualified candidates and ensures that the presidential debates are a useful civic education opportunity for all Americans.
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