Presidential debates have been in the line of fire in recent months; whether it was the first debate of the 2024 cycle that led to the introduction of Kamala Harris as the DNC presidential nominee or the many controversial comments made by both parties during recent debates which have caused people to question whether it is still necessary to even hold the debates at all. In my opinion, this event still makes up an important part of presidential elections, as the debates serve as an important informant to citizens, allowing for direct comparison between the candidates, and ensuring accountability for both candidates.
One of the primary functions of debates is to inform the citizens. The election season is plagued with campaign ads, social media posts, and biased media. Citizens can find themselves confused as they often receive conflicting information. Debates serve as a good medium for citizens to understand important issues. They provide a direct line for candidates to explain themselves without any editing or outside aid. The viewers get to learn about the candidates’ opinions on a variety of important topics, ranging from foreign policies to the economy to healthcare. Candidates’ answers to these topics offer insight into the political priorities of candidates. In this election cycle, we have seen that former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris’s heated debates have educated the public greatly.
Furthermore, presidential debates put the two candidates side by side for comparison. In a normal campaign setting, everything is rehearsed. Candidates control the environment by only talking to supporters and using prewritten scripts. This paints an unrealistic image of the candidate. Debates, on the other hand, are unpredictable, requiring candidates to improvise. While it is true that candidates prepare for the debate, there will always be scenarios that candidates didn’t prepare for. This helps people get a glimpse of how the candidates respond to criticism and present their case.
A prominent example in the 2024 election cycle was the first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Joe Biden did poorly at that debate; when criticized by Donald Trump, he seemed extremely weak and overwhelmed. However, the next day at a rally in North Carolina, he was the exact opposite. This example showcases how different one could be in a situation they cannot control. We would not have seen that side of Joe Biden if the debate did not happen.
Last but not least, no questions are off-limits in debates. This serves as an accountability check for the candidates. Public scrutiny is extremely important for democratic nations, as this serves as a check on the power of the government. Debates offer moderators and candidates the opportunity to question past decisions, challenge proposed policy, and question integrity. Candidates too often hide behind prepared propaganda when it comes to their plans. However, in a debate setting, they must explain their policies fully and face their past.
Coming back to the debates in the past year, important issues that were discussed included Kamala Harris’s weak record as VP and as attorney general of California, as well as Donald Trump’s contentious Project 2025 plans, his criminal charges, and the January 6 riot that he helped incite.
In conclusion, presidential debates are a cornerstone of a functional democracy due to the educational purposes of the debate, the direct comparison of candidates, and the accountability checks provided.
