THE DEBATE

We all saw it, we all had a favorite, we all chose a winner.

We're all wrong.

The winner of last night's debate was the Commission On Presidential Debates, their revised format, and the calm insistence of moderator Kristen Welker.

Trump gained ground, Biden held his own, and we, the audience, finally saw and heard some intelligent dialogue on issues of substance.

If the truth be known these are media events masquerading as debates. In a real debate, a single subject is chosen with two opposing sides, affirmative and negative, and a chairperson who enforces the rules.

Student handout 8.2: Rules for debating

Ok, I get it, these media events serve a purpose, they give us an opportunity to see and hear our candidate perform under pressure which, after all, is a primary requirement of the POTUS. The pressure of a TV produced media event is not the same as political reality. Some candidates are skilled TV actors while others are skilled politicians.

The notion of using the word politician in the pejorative sense is ridiculous. Politics is a profession, and politicians are the practitioners. We love those who argue and maneuver for our position and disdain those who don't. Either way, we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater, Democracy requires debate and debate requires politicians.

If you think our politicians are useless, consider the two houses of the British Parliament and the rules of order at the Palace Of Westminster, their lack of decorum makes our Congress seem gentile by comparison.

So let's stop denigrating our politicians, welcome to the swamp Mr. President.

Comments

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