The political debate is one of the most important and complex parts of a thriving democracy. It’s a forum that allows voters to hear directly from candidates, and it’s one of the few times during a campaign that voters get to see a candidate’s personality, temperament, and unscripted approach.
However, in an era of heightened political polarization, many people are frustrated by the idea of debates. Some believe that they are unnecessary – what’s the point of two people with different points of view trying to find common ground when there are already thousands upon millions of tidbits of information floating in the ether?
In addition, they are often viewed as inefficient – the format is prone to droning, repetitive answers and a lack of focus on issues that matter. It’s also a time when politicians sling personal insults and false accusations.
Nevertheless, political debates are an essential part of a democratic system and, despite their shortcomings, they serve several important purposes. They help to inform the electorate about a candidate’s vision and platform, and they provide a rare opportunity for candidates to publicly jab at their opponents.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is a non-profit, independent organization that organizes and moderates a series of debates between the presidential nominees of the major parties in the United States. The CPD does not receive any government funding and is governed by an independent board of distinguished Americans. It is funded by private donations and corporate contributions. It has no affiliation with either of the major political parties and does not conduct interviews or select debate participants, although it does consult with public opinion polling experts to help decide which candidates should be invited to debate.
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