A political debate is a public discussion about the issues and positions of a politician. The goal of political debate is to inform the electorate and help them make informed choices when they vote for a candidate for public office. The goal is achieved through a respectful discussion between the candidates in which they answer questions, are subject to reasonable and accurate criticism from the moderator, and do not engage in personal attacks on each other.
Before television, candidates campaigned separately and did not have a chance to contrast their positions against each other in a face to face discussion. That changed with the 1960 debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Many people claim that this debate is what swayed the election in favor of Kennedy. The debate allowed voters to see how knowledgeable and confident Kennedy seemed versus how nervous, sweaty and disheveled Nixon appeared.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has sponsored general election debates in every year since 1988. The nonpartisan, voter education goal of these debates has been to afford members of the American public an opportunity to sharpen their views in a focused format of the leading candidates for the presidency of the United States. The CPD also regularly advises sponsors of other nonpartisan debates such as those held for gubernatorial, congressional and mayoral candidates.
The most important issue facing political debate is ensuring that the debates do not devolve into rude personal attacks or uninformed commentary from live audience participants. The best way to achieve this is by having a consistent moderator who does not allow the conversation to get out of control and ensure that the debate is conducted in a professional manner.