The Democratic primary debates prove that entertainment, not information, wins on the stage

If you watched last night’s Democratic primary debate and walked away perplexed, you’re not alone. The candidates provided more clickbait-fodder than substance, and more posture than honesty. But then again, that’s exactly what presidential debates are for: entertainment, not information.

Ostensibly, election debates are a chance for candidates to explain and defend their positions and attract voters. In a primary debate, the objective is more muddled. Candidates must present coherent platforms, endorse certain policies, and convince voters that their proposals are better than the others’.