In a political debate, people discuss and argue about public issues. The goal is to influence opinions and decisions by exposing different points of view. Debates are common in all types of politics, but they are particularly useful during election campaigns when a candidate’s reputation is on the line.
In addition to assessing who is right and wrong, debates provide an opportunity for voters to gain a better understanding of the issues that affect them. As a result, they can make more informed choices at the ballot box. For example, studies have found that debates increase voters’ knowledge of specific candidates and policies. Voters also reported that the debates helped them to determine what kinds of issues they would prioritize for government spending.
There are several types of debates, but the most widely used is the moderator format. The moderator is usually a journalist who poses questions, directs the candidates to rebut and manages their response times. Other formats include the panelist format, which uses several experts rather than a single moderator, and the town hall meeting format, in which members of the audience ask questions.
To participate in a debate, candidates must meet the following criteria: (1) be on enough states’ ballots to win a majority of the electoral college votes, and (2) have a statistically feasible chance of winning a presidential election, based on polls chosen by a CPD subcommittee. The CPD is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, and its board of directors includes distinguished Americans who are not politicians or PACs. Its funding is largely from private donations.
About the Author
