The First Debate

Of course, it is fair to ask just how much these debates matter. If the voters clearly prefer one candidate over the other, that preference may simply overwhelm any benefits his adversary may gain by doing better in the debates. But the polls seem to show the race as extremely close so far, with the candidates almost exactly tied. In that situation, a good showing in the debates is going to be important and, quite possibly, decisive.

So the remaining debates are going to be worth watching. One may wonder whether it is entirely fair for so much to depend on which candidate has the smoother delivery. There are, after all, other attributes at least as important in a president. But this is, for better or worse, a democracy, and how well a candidate can put his case is a pretty fair test of the man.