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   When Candidates Debate      

    We've just had three opportunities to watch two experts at debating use everything they've ever learned about the art of verbally combating a foe to promote their own agendas.  Admittedly, Presidential debates are a class unto themselves, but it might be instructive to take a look, not at what the two candidates said, but how they said it.  Did they adhere to tried and true techniques that debaters have used for centuries?  Did they 'follow the rules' of each debate as they were presented?  Should we look to their debating styles as models for the rest of us, who are not Presidential candidates, to use the next time we find ourselves facing off against a worthy opponent?                 
    No matter which side of the question you're on, there are certain key elements all debaters must keep in mind,
    Are you prepared intellectually?  Can you marshal your arguments and defend them forcefully?  Can you state your points in clear, pithy, easily understood phrases?  Do you have a pretty good idea of what views to expect from your opposition and can you refute them?
    Are you dressed appropriately?  Will the audience be distracted by the colors, style, or hair-do you've chosen to wear?  Are you presenting an image of confidence and comfort?  How's your eye contact and body language?  Are you looking at your opponent or the audience?  What about your facial expressions?  Are you making comments with your eyebrows, remembering to smile or deliberately frowning? Are you attempting to disparage your opponent without saying a word?
    Are you keeping within the time allotted for you to speak or running over into your opponent's time?  Talking over your opponent when it's his turn to speak?  Talking over your opponent when he runs over his allotted time and is trying to hog some of your precious minutes?
    Are you controlling your emotions?  Letting your opponent's statements go unchallenged even though you know they're untrue?  Are you calmly correcting them or allowing those misstatements to irritate you and throw you off your course?  Are you letting your feelings show in your face?
    In discussing how the Presidential candidates did in each of these areas, the opinions expressed here are mine, based on what I saw on TV and influenced by technological limitations; I could only see and hear what the cameras permitted me to see and hear. What you see is what you get to judge on.
    There's no question that both candidates were prepared intellectually.  They each had an agenda, were familiar with what the other was likely to say, and prepared to refute or deny as the need demanded.  They also knew the value of humor and tried to use it... sparingly and Presidentially.   A-plus.
    Their wardrobe was conservative, expensive, and color-coordinated.  They each wore a different color tie... when one chose red, the other chose blue, and vice versa, very safe, non-distracting colors.  They both looked comfortable and confident, permitting the audience to concentrate on what they said.  Solid A.
    Experienced campaigners that they are, they both kept tight control of their facial expressions and physical movements.  They always wore a non-committal smile when the other was talking and kept their eyes mostly glued to the other when not speaking themselves.  Only rarely did they allow themselves a roll of the eyes or a slight frown.  No trace of any emotion such as anger, astonishment, frustration, or resentment; whatever their personal feelings at that moment, they were masterfully masked.  Another A.
    Both debaters had a hard time speaking within their allotted time, however.  Usually it had to do with challenging a statement they felt unjustified or simply untrue.  More often than not, they simply talked over each other.  B-minus.
    Both candidates were masters at the technique of not answering a direct question, instead sticking to what they wanted the audience to hear instead.  A -- for following their own agenda; C -- for not answering the question asked.
    Overall, they skillfully demonstrated how to promote your own agenda in front of TV cameras and millions of people.   As debates go, these were probably the best we'll see for at least another four years.