In addition to the moderator-centered question-answer debates...

[4themind]

does anyone wish there were also issue oriented Lincoln-douglas debates, where each candidate could address an issue, with them taking the "pro-side" for their solution to the problem, and in the same (or a subsequent debate) they could then take the "con" side against their opponents measure? Or does the age of the internet make this less relevant?

[TexasObserver]

1. Amen to that! Let the moderator control only time, and let each debate as they wish.

I don't want Hillary to get help from errand boys like George S., and I don't want her to be able to whine about unfair questioning. Let them have the time to bring up whatever topic they wish, and let them talk about it like a real debate. These phony "debates" staged by news networks are bogus. They're a chance for some hot dogs to play gotcha and little else.

If Hillary wants to bring up "bitter," then let her bring it up.

[dbonds]

2. I would be happy if they could address an issue in anything but soundbites.

Not too many people go to the internet to look up what the candidates really think on issues. They just get the 15 second sound bite on the news after the debates - although more people are watching the debates these days. We still don't get issues discussed in depth (or at all) in them.

[crankychatter]

3. me too... I wish we weren't living in a Fascist State on Steroids

wouldn't that be loverly?

maybe Obama will restore the Constitution

he says he will... so he gets my vote

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. You mean a REAL debate

where the candidates have to explain and defend their positions and get to question each other? You mean the kind of debate that doesn't use self-important "moderators" who fancy themselves as some kind of prosecutor or inquisitor and who ask nothing but "gotcha" questions designed to make the questionee look foolish or defensive, just so the "moderator" can get some high-fives in the green room afterwards from his fellow self-important faux-journalists? That kind of debate?

It would be great, but I'm not holding my breath.

[4themind]

5. Wouldn't that be nice?

But it may involve the elite of the punditocracy, ceding spotlight time to the people who are actually running in the election

[EffieBlack]

6. Yes! the debates are now little more than

promotional clips for the moderators whose sole concern is coming up with the best "gotcha" question that will provoke the most quotable and damning response that will in turn provide the soundbyte for the moderator to discuss during their endless talk show appearances in the days following the debate.

It's all about the celebrity moderators. The candidates are just extras in their production.

[Warren Stupidity]

7. The debacles can go away.

Nobody should sign up for any more media-personality run debacles. They have been bullshit for years.