Since the beginning of this century, political debate has become a debacle, most often leaving more confusion and doubt in the minds of those the debate was supposed to inform. Afterwards the news is filled with accusations and spin, adding to the circus atmosphere and the inability to determine the facts communicated during the debate.

My post-debate concerns include the following points: 1. The moderators were biased and unfair; 2. The moderator questions were not central to the important concerns of the electorate; 3. The moderators failed to assure that the candidate answered the question.

Here are a few ideas for a better way: 1. Moderators must be selected from a source where bias is eliminated and their main function is to ask the question and determine that the question is specifically addressed. They have no role in fact-finding or rebutting candidate responses. Rebuttal is an opposing candidate responsibility; 2. The list of questions to be asked should not be a mystery and should be provided to both candidates in advance. Questions asked must be from a consensus of important policy issues Americans want answered; 3. All questions must be specifically answered by the candidate. If not, the candidate’s mic is silenced and remaining response time is forfeited.

Robert DiNapoli

Old Lyme