What do you expect of the debates?

I am only asking the questions because I see a lot of people here enthusiastic about answers from people who did not answer the questions, but repeated parts of their stump speeches.

I was particularly surprised today, where the questions were addressing some REAL issues, to what points some candidates were not able to answer the actual questions, but were regurgitating their stump speech.

It was pretty obvious at the VERY first question from the panel, where the question was about disparities in jobs between white and minorities communities, with minorities people with HS diplomas doing less well than white people with HS diplomas, and were all candidates but one rushed talking about improving education. Obviously, it is a good thing, but how does this address the question?

The same issues came back several times, with the AIDS question (all pushed their healthcare plan, but few actually talked about prevention), about people in jail, ... It seemed that healthcare and education were the answer to every single question for some of the candidate, for example.

So, the question I am asking myself is whether you are looking for a candidate who speaks well but does not address the issues, or for somebody who actually tries to address the issues, even though his speech may be a little less smooth.

(I am not aiming anybody in particular. I think all of the candidates did that at one question or the other in this speech. Some do it more often than others, though, and it makes me wonder if they actually have convictions or are simply repeating positions paper than their staff handle them).

with such a short time limit. The questions were excellent,I wish it had a three hour frame.

Yes, there were a few who sidestepped, but very few that I noticed.

I watch the debates for a lot of things. How quick a candidate is with an answer to an unexpected question. How much they really know about the subject. Are they relaxed or do they appear tense. And of course I listen to every answer to see if they're just playing to the audience of the momment, does their answer make sense, can their ideas really work.

So far, I think Hillary has done the best! She also is getting better with each one.

Yes, I know there are a lot of people on Du who don't like her, but I really ask that you all pay close attention to her actions, composure, and responses. I don't mean that many of the others did poorly, just that she did better than the rest.

I wasn't a BIG Hillary fan several months ago, but my reasons were very biased. I admit, I fell into the trap of "A woman can't be elected in the US", and "Damn, I don't want to continue the chain of Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton! I have to admit, she's winning me over. I not only want a Dem Prez. I want the BEST of the options we have!

I am going for Edwards because I believe the bigotry is still too strong.

tired and worn lately. I mean, as a person. It's showing in his responses too. I'm not faulting him. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for him to endure the extreme physical requirements of campaigning along with his wife undergoing her treatments AND having to be a father to two very young children too! But I really think THAT's why he's is stuck in 3rd.

I think he and his family will be going home soon.

Entertainment.

and hearing Dennis and Gravel tell the truth and the others bullshit their way through the two hours...

...There were important issues brought up in this discussion tonight. Issues which should be discussed at length. The time alloted for these major questions was ridiculous... "O.K. candidate X, millions are dying in country Z. Now, tell us what you would do to stop this....in 15 seconds."

I don't remember any other debate taking that much time for introductions. I like Tavis Smiley, but he was too verbose.

...how they only had so much time, so they wanted to ask a bunch of questions within that time limit.

I would be much more happy for them to limit the questions, and allow the candidate to expound on each one. Give each candidate 5 or 6 minutes on a particular topic, and we might actually learn about them. As it is now, it seems like these "debates" are designed for people with ADD.