https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election_debates
It was not until 1976 that a second series of televised presidential debates was held during the general election campaign season.
At what depth into their reasoning should a candidate dive?
- Explanation: Suppose you have an idea that you want to persuade the audience of (I'll call it "MI" for "Main Idea"). To do this, you want to supply three supporting statements that, when combined, you think make a persuasive case for the MI. Then suppose that you worry that one of those supporting statements may need support or explanation itself. Should you provide support for that statement immediately? Or should you wait until people ask for support for it?
- Check out "Argument Maps" for a good visual example.
- Example:
How much time should a person spend talking about their past / track record?
- It may depend on how you do it.
Keep your comments short
- Presidents should really be training for presidential debates the way MMA fighters train for a fight. Bas Rutten trained twice a day.
- Getting interrupted by the moderator doesn't look good.
- Getting interrupted by other candidates also doesn't look good.
Have someone in the audience to give you live feedback
- It might be useful to have something analogous to a cornerman in boxing / MMA
Don't tell complicated stories
Don't reference things that people won't get
Prepare for questions that ask you about things that you aren't familiar with
- You need to be ready to say, "I'm not familiar with that situation and can't comment on it."
Don't fumble over your words
Don't have such scripted / complicated answers to questions that you'll end up forgetting things