Political debates allow candidates to present their positions on a range of issues directly to voters. They can help clarify a candidate’s policies, address criticisms, and highlight their experience and qualifications. They are a key component of any election campaign and are important for informing voters, shaping public opinion, and influencing electoral outcomes.
A successful debater is a smooth talker who can convey confidence and conviction while still remaining poised under pressure. Debates are one of the few times during an election campaign when citizens can hear directly from leaders and compare them side-by-side. It’s also one of the rarest opportunities to see a leader’s personality, temperament, and unscripted approach in action.
To be a good debater, it helps to have a firm grasp of policy and the ability to clearly articulate ideas. However, in a time of political polarization, it’s also critical to be able to respond to the attacks of an opponent without seeming defensive or angry. The best debaters do this by creating a moment. Dan Quayle’s deer-in-the-headlights look at Lloyd Bentsen or Obama’s frequent use of the half smile and the gaze down to jot a note are examples of this.
Debates can be formal or informal, and they can be arranged in various formats from one-on-one matches to multi-candidate forums. They can take place anywhere from local town halls to large-scale events broadcast on national television. The INE is responsible for defining the rules of debates, setting the dates and locations, and verifying that media outlets are following transmission obligations. Its members include representatives of the political parties.
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