As a forum for candidates to present their views and positions on the issues that matter most to voters, political debate provides an opportunity for citizens to see and hear presidential contenders side by side. In an election season dominated by television advertisements, talk radio and sound bites, debates give a chance for people to get a glimpse of the personalities and ideas behind the competing campaigns.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that sponsors general election presidential debates in each quadrennial election cycle. Its mission is to “ensure that, in any given election, American voters have the opportunity to observe a direct comparison of the principal candidates for president.” The CPD does not endorse, support or oppose any political party or candidate, and it receives no funds from the government or any outside organization.
A debate is typically organized around a single moderator, a well-known TV journalist who poses questions and manages the time allowed for each response. Candidates stand at podiums or tables facing one another and are typically allowed 2 minutes to answer each question, with a short period of time allowed for rebuttal. Time is managed through a coin toss, a screen with colored lights resembling traffic signals, or by using a buzzer.
To qualify to participate in a debate, a candidate must meet certain criteria, including the nomination by a political party and a statistically feasible chance of winning enough electoral votes to win the presidency. The CPD carefully considers early voting, religious and federal holidays, other milestone events, White House television pool contractual conflicts, and even Major League baseball games when selecting debate dates.