The politics of debate is a rich area of inquiry, one with many important applications in democratic governance. Debates are an opportunity to promote public understanding of candidates’ views, plans and positions on issues through the public exchange of ideas and arguments. They are also an opportunity for a public to compare the alternatives presented by different parties, and a venue for contesting these alternative visions of a society and economy.
While a variety of debate formats exist, most televised debates are characterized by a moderator’s control over the content and format of discussion. Typically, moderators are journalists who have extensive experience in broadcast news. They are chosen by the CPD based on three criteria: familiarity with the candidates and the major issues in the campaign, extensive experience moderating live television broadcast news and an understanding that debate should be centered on the questions and the candidates’ answers. The CPD does not meet with the campaigns to select moderators nor do the candidates have a role in their selection.
The arbitrary choice of a single moderator, coupled with the heightened scrutiny of candidates during these events for their reaction to the questioners and each other’s responses can create a dynamic where the focus shifts from the candidates to the moderator. This can lead to a debate that takes the form of an interview or Sunday show, in which the candidates are preparing as much for the moderator as their opponents and in which the questioning serves to advance the journalistic interests of the presenting network.