During an election, political debate is one of the rare occasions when voters have the opportunity to see and hear leaders discuss their visions and platforms and to assess their leadership style. It is also one of the only opportunities to witness the candidates in a live setting, unscripted and unedited. Debates are a vital part of a democracy and an essential tool in making informed decisions at the ballot box.
Political debate is an art form – it requires careful preparation and practice, the right tone of delivery, and attention to detail. It also requires a large audience that is willing to engage and listen carefully to what is being said. The right tone can shift public perception and opinions of a candidate, and if done correctly, can help shape the outcome of an election.
The debate process is a critical aspect of our democratic system and its effectiveness depends on the rules established by the staging organization, which must select participants using pre-established objective criteria. The rules must not restrict participants to those seeking the nomination of a particular party and must allow third-party candidates to participate in debates. The organizations hosting these events are also tasked with ensuring that the debates are fair and free of bias.
The rules governing participation in presidential debates require a candidate to demonstrate a statistically viable chance of winning the Electoral College, which means a minimum of 15% support nationally according to five national public opinion polling organizations defined by CPD. They must also be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient resources to mount a competitive campaign.
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