Presidential Debate By T.S. Khanna, September 27, 2016

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Foundation For Better Government,

Presidential Debate

By T.S. Khanna, September 27, 2016.

A great majority of Americans look forward to presidential debates but do not feel satisfied after watching them.  Their expectations are higher than the present format of debates is designed to offer.  The presidential debate last night (September 26,2016) was no exception.

While the hardened partisan voters see the debate in win/lose terms, non-partisan voters look for more substantive information re the national issues and alternative methods and the candidate’s smarts for dealing with them.

To draw more out of the presidential debates, some suggestions are offered:

·      The journalist moderator(s) may be replaced by two past presidents, Republican/Democrat, as presiding officers to ask the candidates questions;

·      The candidates may be provided comfortable seats, not made to stand in discomfort;

·      Each debate may cover a set of selected subjects (economy, security, foreign policy, et el) and may be designed to last about an hour;

·      Each candidate may make opening remarks re his/her perception and position on the subjects for discussion;

·      The two presiding officers may then alternate in asking questions and each candidate may respond by turn;

·      Candidates may also be given a chance to ask each other questions;

·      At the end, each candidate may make closing remarks.