REAL Presidential Debates

I can usually count on Newt Gingrich to be interesting and provocative even while I don't usually aggree with him. While listening to C-Span a few days ago I heard ole Newt make a proposal I thought was unbelievably great. I think he was addressing the National Press Club; he suggested that there should be a series of nine, ninety minute debates between the presidential candidates, one per week during the campaign. That in itself is not particularly interesting. The format is.

Gone would be the boring, mind-numbing, stilted, scripted sloganeering that is now labeled a debate. The candidates would be seated comfortably and engage each other in conversation on a topic or topics; perhaps with a moderator, perhaps without. As I understand it, the only rules would be there would be no rules except perhaps civility and equal time restraints.

What a refreshing chance to see how a potential president thinks. The ability to address issues in depth, including nuances that are often missing from the thirty second ad or the sound bite taylored for the daily news cycle. Such debates would provide fodder for genuine discussion among the public about the candidates and their ideas and whether that individual may make an effective president.

To those who thing this process gives an unfair advantage to policy geeks; so be it! Intelligence does count, people. Its actually more important than likeability. Knowledge can keep this country out of a lot of trouble and smooth our way to a better future.