Political debate is fundamentally about persuading people to take your side in a conflict over different interests and values. It’s not about a polite, nonpartisan quest for the truth but rather the vicious pursuit of power in order to make it right. This is why, despite the best intentions of participants, political debate is necessarily adversarial and combative.
Debates are a vital part of the electoral process, and they play an important role in informing voters about key issues. The effectiveness of a candidate’s performance during a debate can lead to dramatic shifts in polling results prior to an election, as has been demonstrated throughout American history.
Since its founding in 1987, the Commission has sponsored every general election presidential debate, except in 2024 (when the two parties agreed to network-produced debates without the Commission’s involvement). In addition to our sponsorship of these events, the CPD works with a variety of voter education partners across the country and abroad to encourage debate viewing gatherings and projects designed for Americans posted overseas.
Studies show that people benefit from debate with their friends, family and coworkers on a range of issues. However, heightened political polarization has made many Americans hesitant to engage in these conversations. Moreover, they largely view debates as unproductive and frustrating. Despite these challenges, our research continues to prove that the public benefits from high-quality debates on issues of national importance. This is why the Commission is committed to ensuring that we continue to deliver on our original mission to sponsor and produce debates that inform the electorate.