Republican Undercard Debate: Live Coverage

Remember that pretty detailed and out-there list of format demands that was circulating after the last debate? Things like: Will you commit that you will not:

• Ask the candidates to raise their hands to answer a question.
• Ask yes/no questions without time to provide a substantive answer.
• Have a “lightning round.”
• Allow candidate-to-candidate questioning.
• Allow props or pledges by the candidates.
• Have reaction shots of members of the audience or moderators during debates.

etc etc … I think this is the best debate of the election season so far, and partly because the hosts didn’t agree to the demands. Without “candidate-to-candidate questioning” in particular, we never would have had that Christie-Jindal exchange. Even the shorter questions have been illuminating. The main difference? Only four people on stage. It’s just a simple fact that with more than five or so people on stage, it’s impossible to conduct a civil and productive conversation.