So what did we learn from last night’s debate? Many words were spoken but the information content was minimal. Do Warren’s M4A numbers add up? Don’t know but what I do know is that I want her and the other candidates the opportunity to present their plans on the important issues. The current “debate” format is anathema to informing the public. Yes, it’s true we get to gauge who’s best at answering random questions that may or may not have anything to do with our concerns. But, of all the talents I want in a president, the ability to participate in a verbal food fight ranks below personal hygiene. Here’s something to ponder: after a person becomes POTUS, on how many occasions will said person be asked a question like, “name someone who is a surprising friend?” Exactly.
What I propose is a format that lets the candidates present their plans on the issues. Warning: this involves one of the more dastardly constructs of our time. Yes, I’m talking PowerPoint.
- Assume the field is narrowed to six, eight at the most.
- Candidates are informed of the debate topic(s) weeks in advance
- Should be able to do 2 topics per night
- Candidates prepare their charts and make the charts available to others
- On “debate” night, each candidate gets 6 minutes uninterrupted to present his/her plan
- Can compare and contrast with plans from other candidates
- Four minutes allocated for questions from other candidates and informed panel
- If the issue is health care, for example, panel should be doctors, hospital admins, etc
- The host (e.g., CNN) posts the charts on its website for further examination.
Obvious topics are health care, infrastructure, climate change, foreign affairs. This approach does two things: informs the voters and demonstrates that our candidates have a level of understanding and coherency obviously lacking in Trumpworld.