A political debate provides a platform for candidates to present their vision for the future and build trust with voters. Successfully engaging in a debate requires thorough preparation, consistent practice and strategic execution. But, as the debates become increasingly partisan and politically charged, it can be challenging to stand out from your opponent and keep your message focused.
As a result, some candidates are avoiding or scheduling fewer debates, and the remaining debates have a lower audience than in past years. The underlying reason may have to do with the perception of risk: if a candidate makes a misstep during the debate, it could harm their poll ratings and diminish their appeal among potential voters.
This is a critical time to showcase your ability to think on your feet and remain calm under pressure. Incorporate strong, respectful rebuttals to criticisms and attacks from your opponents into your debate responses. This demonstrates your ability to engage in productive discourse while maintaining your own position and can strengthen your credibility as a leader.
The Commission on Presidential Debates rules require that candidates participating in the debates must have a statistically viable chance of winning the presidency (based on ballot inclusion in states totaling 270 electoral votes) and reach at least 15% in independent national polls conducted over several weeks prior to the debate. Some members of the Working Group discussed whether it might be time to revisit this standard in light of the growing number of voters who identify as independents or non-aligned.