Candidate debates have become a tradition in American politics. In a campaign world full of sound bites, prepared speeches, negative ads and media handlers, debates have become an increasingly important source of candidate information for voters.

At their best, debates can reveal candidates’ grasp of complex issues, their ability to express ideas, their poise under pressure. Debates can be a measure of leadership and vision. Candidate debates provide direct opportunities for voters to hear candidates speak for themselves and respond to their opponents.

Nevertheless, voters still need to view debates with a watchful eye. Debates can sometimes emphasize image over substance. Good debaters are not necessarily better leaders. You can sit through an hour-long debate and still not have the answers to the questions of greatest importance to you. This pamphlet provides background information and tips to help you get the most out of viewing a candidate debate.

DEBATES: AN INSIDER’S VIEW

Debates don’t just “happen.” They are carefully planned events, organized by a Variety of players: candidates, political parties, the media and citizen organizations. To get the most out of viewing a debate, it’s important to understand what got into planning such a crucial campaign event.

Behind the Scenes

Candidates and their “handlers” weigh every debate decision whether to debate, what format is best, even what curtain colors and camera angles they want -with one question in mind: “Will it help us win?” Television broadcasters that air the debate want to attract an audience with a lively show that makes news and makes the broadcaster look good. The debate that finally gets on the air is the result of a delicate juggling of all these goals.

Format

A “debate” can follow any format that puts candidates face-to-face stating their views and responding to their opponents. The “modified press conference” approach, with a panel of journalists who question the candidates, has been popular in the past. Unfortunately, it provides little opportunity to challenge a candidate who is dodging a question and often allows the press to set the agenda for the debate.

During the 1992 primaries, many debates had single moderators or no moderators at all. This allows candidates to challenge each other directly, while providing ample opportunity for follow-up questions. Other debate format innovations include questions submitted by audience members or randomly selected voters. In some cases, a debate will draw on one or all of these format variations. As you watch debates, consider the strengths and weaknesses of the format and whether or not 8 serves your needs for Information about the candidates.

As you watch a debate, note who is and who is not included. Some debates feature only significant candidates in order to use the brief time available to allow voters an opportunity to compare candidates with a realistic chance of winning. Other debates are open to all legally qualified candidates. Sometimes incumbents with a strong lead refuse to debate at all. 

Impact of Debates

Studies of the impact of presidential debates show that debates tend to confirm the choices people have already made about candidates. For the undecided voter, however, viewing a debate can be an important factor in shaping his or her choice on election day.

BEFORE AND AFTER THE DEBATE

Debates are just one opportunity for voters to learn about candidates. In an election year, voters sometimes feel bombarded with campaign appeals: political ads, news stories, talk shows, direct mail. 800 phone numbers, speeches and rallies. And yet as election day approaches, voters often are still frustrated with the lack of substantive campaign information on which to base their decisions. It is not unusual to hear more about candidates’ health than about their positions on the economy or foreign policy. Following are some tips to help you sort through all the campaign “noise” and get the information you need to judge candidates for public office before and after candidate debates.

To get to the bottom of a political campaign, ask yourself some fundamental questions:

What qualities should I look for in political candidates?

  • 1. Positions on Issues 
  • 2. Leadership Abilities
  • 3. Background and Experience
  • 4. Honesty and Integrity 
  • 5. Responsiveness to Constituents
How you can find the answers.

Candidates and their staff use many political tools to construct an election campaign: advertisements, speeches, position papers, etc. But voters need tools as well, to judge candidates on their qualifications and positions, and move beyond impressions based on physical appearance or unflattering rumors spread by the opposition. To find the answer to the question above, use the following tools and suggestions:

1. Positions on Issues

Tool: Voting records of incumbents and previous officeholders. Where to Find It: Check your library for copies of the Congressional Record; National Journal; state, county and municipal governments; computer databases; newspapers, public interest group reports. Questions to Ask: What are the “key votes,” or major issues this candidate has voted on?

Tool: Candidate questionnaires, voters guides.

Where To Find It: Newspaper pullouts, Leagues of Women Voters, public interest groups.

Tool: Candidate position papers, speeches, newsletters and brochures.

Where to Find It: Campaign office, party headquarters, reprints in selected newspapers.

Questions to Ask: What has this candidate said or written on those issues of greatest importance to me?

Tool: News stories, transcripts of news conferences.

Where To Find It: Newspapers, television, radio, magazines, computer databases.

Tool: Candidate advertising. Where to find it: Newspapers, television, radio, mailbox. Questions to Ask: Is this candidate addressing the issues in his/her ads? Do you have a clear idea of what the candidate intends to do about the issue(s)?

Tool: Interviews and call-in shows. Where To Find It: Check TV and radio listings, campaign offices. Questions to Ask: Is this candidate addressing the issues during Interviews and answering questions about his/her positions on the issues raised? Tool: Endorsements from individuals, news media and organizations.

Where to Find It: Campaign headquarters, newspapers, organization newsletters/publications, labor unions, party leaders.

Questions to Ask: Is the endorser an Individual or institution with whom I usually agree?

2. Leadership Abilities

Tool: Use of accomplishments. Where to Find It: Campaign literature, candidate resume, news profiles.

Questions to ask: Has this candidate sponsored legislation, improved efficiency, spoken out on an issue, solved a problem, worked for a cause, assumed responsibility?

Tool: Campaign conduct.

Where to Find/See It: Debates, ads, remarks to news media, speeches. 

Questions to Ask: Have candidates participated in debates, been fair in statements about themselves and others, made themselves available to the news media and voters? Do they spend most of their time attacking opponents rather than talking about what they can do to make things better?

3. Background and Experience

Tool: Candidate biography. Where to Find It: Campaign literature, candidate resume, news profiles, books, videos, League of Women Voters’ guide to candidates.

Questions to Ask: Is there something about the candidates’ backgrounds that adds to or subtracts from their credibility? Will their background/experience help them to understand issues affecting every American? Is the biographical information on their campaign literature accurate?

4. Honesty and Integrity

Tool: Public statements.

Where to Find It: News accounts, campaign speeches, public records of legislative debate.

Questions to Ask: Are candidates’ conduct consistent with their policy statements? Have they changed policy positions to improve their chances of getting elected? Would they exempt a family member from rules that apply to everyone else?

Tool: Tax records.

Where to Find It: Campaign offices. Questions to Ask: Have the candidates paid their taxes?

5. Responsiveness to Constituents

Tool: History of community involvement/voting.

Where to Find It: Campaign office, local election office.

Questions to Ask: Has the candidate lived long enough in the area he or she will represent to understand the needs of constituents? Is the candidate a regular voter at election time?

Tool: Constituent service.

Where to Find It: Responses to constituent letters/requests; campaign office; attendance record as legislator.

Questions to Ask: Does the incumbent respond to written/telephone Inquiries in a timely fashion? Does the volume of ‘newsletters” from the incumbent’s office increase shortly before the election? Does the challenger respond to Inquiries from voters to his/her campaign office? Did the candidate cast votes on important legislation, or was he/she absent?

RATE THE DEBATE

To get the most out of debates, consider the following questions:

Format

  • 1. Does it give each candidate an equal opportunity to speak and respond to opponents?
  • 2. Does it allow the differences between candidates to surface?
  • 3. Does it allow/require candidates to state their views clearly?
  • 4. Does it offer insight into the candidates’ personalities and leadership qualities?
Moderator/Panelists
  • 1. Is the moderator in control of the debate?
  • 2. Are the questions clear, fair and equally tough on all candidates? Do they concern issues of importance to you?
  • 3. Are the follow-up questions helpful in pinning down the candidates?
  • 4. Do the moderator or panelists talk too much?
Candidate Conduct
  • 1. Do the candidates answer or evade the questions?
  • 2. Do the candidates talk about their stands on issues or do they respond with vague promises, emotional appeals and campaign slogans?
  • 3. Do the candidates present their own positions, or do they mostly attack the opponent? Are the attacks personal or directed at the opponent’s positions?
  • 4. Are the candidates’ answers realistic? Can they actually carry out the promises they make?
  • 5. What impact does a candidate’s physical appearance have?
  • 6. Do the candidates seem relaxed, sincere, confident?
  • 7. Do the candidates use the broadcast medium well? 
Be Sure To Vote!

When it comes to getting the most out of debates, and making the best use of available tools for judging candidates, it is up to the voting public to demand that candidates run issue-oriented campaigns that offer voters plenty of opportunities to get the information they need. The best way to ensure that candidates listen to voters is to vote on election day.

Getting the Most Out of Debates is a League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) publication.
Chair: Becky Cain; Executive Director: Gracia Hillman

Written and Researched by Alyson Reed, Project Manager. Oversight by Marlene Cohn, Assistant Director. Desktop production by Eleanor Gay Moors. This project was made possible by a grant from the Joyce Foundation.

To Order:

Contact Publication Sales, League of Women Voters, 1730 M Street, NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036. 202/424 1965 FAX- 202/429-0854. Pob. 4950, $.75 ($.50 members). Quantity discounts available.

The Spanish language version, translated by The National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) is entitled Obentiendo Lo Principal De Un Debate, pub. #951, $.75 ($.50 members) and may be purchased from the League.