Debates should be productive

Televised presidential candidate debates are intended to give the American public an opportunity to evaluate the people who run for the nation’s highest office, but the Oct. 15 democratic debates were underwhelming, with questions that danced around issues and policy.

The Ohio stage was packed with 12 candidates, establishing an intensely competitive climate that led participants to argumentative banter. In an attempt to get any productive conversation in, the candidates were forced to find an opportunity to make a viral moment to be recognized by the public after the debates finished. 

Elizabeth Warren received the most air time by far with 22 minutes, with Biden followed close behind with 16 minutes. However, it is arguable whether the two candidates’ command of the microphone was productively spent discussing issues important to the American public. 

Many candidates spent time criticizing Warren’s platform. Although it makes sense for candidates to attempt to disprove or outwit one another, at times it came across as if internal conflicts within the Democratic party were manifesting on screen for the public to witness. 

Moderators asked about the age and health of the presidential candidates or what a friend with differences has taught them—time that could have been spent discussing policy and international concerns like climate change. 

It is apparent that the number of candidates on the stage, a first in American history, would not allow for productive conversation among all of the candidates. Although, this is new territory for politicians and pundits alike, this new political environment begs the question of how the system can be reformed to give equal time to candidates in an increasingly digital age.

In the future, moderators and channels of media need to work harder to maintain professionalism, equity and equality, so that debates can truly serve their purpose. Candidates deserve to be given the time necessary for audiences to be properly informed on different issues.

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