The first set of Democratic debates were gigantic wastes of time and I fear that the second set may be yet another edition of Hunger Games meets Keystone Cops. However, I thought I’d offer a few last-minute ideas that could make the upcoming debates at least slightly more useful.
To begin with, if I was moderating the debates, I’d require the candidates to spend the first half hour in a very structured format. I still rather like my Chorus Line idea, but I’d settle for letting the candidates know in advance that both nights will start with these same two questions:
- Issues: For each candidate, left to right: In no more than two minutes, list no more than your top three issues, how you’ll address them, at what cost, and with what revenue sources. Here’s your uninterrupted opportunity to tell voters your priorities and convince them to go to your website to read the details of your brilliant policy proposals. Your microphone will be cut off at the two minute mark. If another candidate interrupts you, we will take that time away from them and give it to you. If you waste your allotted time giving a stump speech or if you don’t address the related monetary components, note that we will call you out on it and then move on.
- Electoral College: For each candidate, right to left: While we know you’re laser-focused on winning the Democratic nomination, we also know that’s not the endgame. In 60 seconds or less, list the swing states you’ll specifically target in the general election and how you intend to win them. Note that if you tell us that you plan to win all of them, we are going to stop while everyone takes a moment to laugh at you. If you don’t name enough states to produce the necessary 270 Electoral votes, you will be asked to leave the stage.
The remainder of the debate would have a more free-form structure but would stay issue-oriented. To a large extent, I’d be content here to see how the candidates think on their feet defending their positions. There are numerous valid topics that can be addressed and there are some distinct policy differences between the candidates that can be reasonably explored. The CNN moderators are good enough to be able to pick the topics in real-time each night based on the various positions and policies stated in the first half hour. The moderators should be given complete freedom to drive and direct the debate. We can argue about fairness later, but every circus needs a ringmaster.
For the candidates, here’s my advice:
- Attack Trump, not each other. Feel free to tell us why your background, your resume, and your record makes you the best candidate to take on Trump. Feel free to tell us why your policy positions and/or personal story are better than any of the other Democratic candidates to win over swing voters. I know many of you think you’re fighting for the soul of the Democratic party. I couldn’t care less. In the general election, one of you will be fighting for the soul of America. Please focus there.
- Keep it real. Most of you aren’t idiots. You know that some of your ideas will never get any bipartisan support and it’s fine to have some positions that are mostly intended to drive a conversation. However, if you’re elected, you will need to actually govern within a divided government. I don’t expect you to focus on leadership in a debate format but it’d be nice if you could at least demonstrate some ability to lead and not just pontificate. At the very least, could your website highlight at least one idea that doesn’t so obviously pander to the far left? I know you may be counting on progressive activists to help you win the nomination. I get it. But, again, remember that the goal for most of us is to win in November 2020.
- Keep it recent. There are plenty of current issues to address. Every time you bring up another candidate’s position or vote that is not from this century, I swear I will send that candidate a campaign donation.
- Don’t be a dud. You can be serious without being seriously dull. Be friendly. Remember to smile but please don’t look like you’re taking a prom picture. Don’t scream and don’t preach. If you show just a touch of humor, voters will be more inclined to like you. Yes, part of this is a popularity contest. Live with it.
- Forget your attack sound bites. I know how hard you’re been practicing the zingers that will absolutely destroy another candidate, bring the audience to it’s feet, and propel you to victory. Yeah, no. Please ignore your advisors and your speech writers. None of you are Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, or Barack Obama. You’re just not good enough to properly deliver a line at the right time without it sounding badly rehearsed. The media is going to find their own debate excerpts and they’re not going to be the ones you want them to be. Instead of trying to find an opening for your witty, scripted remark, concentrate on not saying something incredibly stupid.
- Don’t over-prepare. Frankly, if you can’t handle anything thrown at you by now, you have no business being on the debate stage. Instead, …
- Get some sleep and remember you’re going to be on TV. Seriously. You’re interviewing for the Presidency and you need to look the part. Don’t repeat Nixon’s debate mistakes from six decades ago. Going in, Nixon had a clear edge in experience and gravitas. However, on TV, Kennedy looked confident and engaged while Nixon looked like he’d just been released from a POW camp. Game Kennedy.
Then again, maybe I’ll just accept reality and host that Bourbon Primary.