Technically speaking, it is not really a debate, but an extremely controlled question and answer period.And, one false move by a candidate, perhaps a sneeze at the wrong moment, will be analyzed to death. Is he sick? In poor health? Looking for attention?
Ever since Nixon debated Kennedy on television, one looking tired and a bit deshelved, the other looking at the peak of his athletic manhood, it's been all downhill since then. It doesn't matter anymore what is said, but how it appears in its saying. Does the better candidate swagger and almost flirt with the camera? Oh! But be careful.....too much flirting many not be good either. I am looking for substance, but today many are looking for a celebrity they can vote for. It wouldn't hurt if he could sing either.
Anyway, looking way back there has always been competition in the Presidential Election. In 1789, President Washington was unopposed, and reluctantly accepted, saying he thought it might be dishonorable. Can you imagine!?
But by the next election, there was fierce competition between Adams and Jefferson, opposing parties having been more developed. The Federalists (obviously wanting a strong federal government represented by Adams), and the Anti-Federalists (or Republicans, represented by Jefferson, clearly looking for more states rights). Jefferson accused Adams of monarchism; Adams chastised Tom for being a Jacobin, or French Revolution sympathizer. Of course, without the beneft of television, radio or internet, these statements flew around, and caused turmoil, but not to the degree the campaigns suffer today.
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