Don't Forget to Watch the Debates!

• The structure of debates
Debates use a variety of formats. Primary debates, featuring candidates from the same party, and local debates traditionally are more freewheeling and incorporate a wide range of formats because of multiple candidates. Since 1992, the general election presidential debates have also featured multiple formats including a town hall meeting with citizen questioners.
Most debates impose time limits on answers to ensure that all candidates have equal opportunity to respond. Topics may focus on a wide range of issues or may be on a particular theme such as education or the economy. General election presidential debates usually divide the time between foreign and domestic topics.
Candidates may have an opening statement, or a moderator may introduce each candidate and begin questioning immediately. In most debates candidates have closing statements.
Questions guide the content of debates. There are three types of questions: initial; follow-up; and cross-examination. Initial questions get the debate started by asking candidates to explain or defend a position or compare it to an opponent's. Many initial questions are hypotheticals in the form of, "What would you do ifs?" Follow-up questions are directed at a candidate after an answer is given. Their purpose is to probe the original response by asking for elaboration or clarification. Some follow-up questions are on an unrelated topic. Follow-up questions may be asked immediately after an initial response is given or after all candidates have answered the initial question. Cross-examination questions are questions that one candidate addresses to another. A separate time can be set aside for cross-examination questions or they may be included as follow-ups.
Questions may be posed to candidates from a variety of sources. In primary and local debates, experts on the topic debated may serve as panelists. A single moderator, usually from the media, or a panel of media representatives or subject experts are the most common questioners. Many debates, especially at the local level, allow for questions from the audience at some point in the debate. The Richmond town hall meeting in 1992 was the first general election presidential debate to involve citizen questioners.

•How to get the most out of a debate
Focus your attention on a few key points. Know what it is you want in an office holder, then watch and listen to see which candidate best fits your ideal. The following suggestions will help you focus:
Set aside your partisan views. Use the debates to learn as much as possible about all candidates and their positions.
Pay close attention to the candidates when they talk about how to solve problems. Listen carefully for comparisons candidates make between or among their programs and their opponents'.
Identify the candidate's debate strategy. Does the candidate speak directly to the issues, provide specifics, and present new policies or information? Or does the candidate evasively interpret questions to suit his/her agenda?
Identify the images which candidates try to create for themselves. Most candidates try to portray themselves as leaders and identify themselves with cherished American values while suggesting that their opponents lack these qualities. What in the responses supports their claims?
Be aware of the technical limitations of televised debates. Television works by showing action. To create action and minimize monotony, directors sometimes include "reaction shots" to show one candidate's response to an opponent's statement. This can distract your attention from what is being said. It is wise to remember the role of action shots when watching the debates.
Consider the questions asked by the panelists. The essence of debate is comparison and contrast. Did the panelist's or moderator's questions encourage alternative viewpoints? Observe and evaluate the questions asked and determine if you are genuinely adding to the content of the debates.
Don't watch a debate to determine a winner or loser. All candidates have goals for a debate; as a result, all could claim victory if winning is defined as achieving goals set by campaigns or the media. Focus on the question, "Who would make a better president, senator, governor, legislator, county clerk?"