Debate format hurts thoughtful, long-shot candidates

Long-shots in presidential debates deserve as much speaking time as front-runners. And the viewing audience deserves more chance to hear them.

A little history is in order. There was a time when debates were structured with very little actual interaction between candidates, and all candidates had almost exactly equal time to make their points. The nearly rigorous enforcement of equal time made the proceedings fairer, but the lack of free-flowing exchanges made things look rather stilted. Audiences snoozed.