Suggestion for start of next debate

Sixty years and 4 days ago I watched the first presidential debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon. That 15 year old learned much about the differing views of two obviously intelligent and knowledgeable public leaders on domestic and foreign policy. Both conducted themselves with decorum, dignity and mutual respect. It helped fuel my lifelong love of understanding public policy to support progress in our lives.

Last night I reacted in horror seeing how far political discourse has degenerated, almost exclusively due to a boorish incumbent president who interrupted, talked over, denigrated his opponent with unrelenting hostility. He violated the basic rules of debate decency he had agreed to beforehand. He ignored and argued with the moderator who was reduced to begging the president to behave. He never did.

Suggestion for debate two, if there is one. The new moderator should introduce the candidates, then announce that the first ten minutes will consist of watching clips of the first Kennedy-Nixon debate. Then the moderator should address the president thusly. "That is what we expect from you tonight Mr. President. Can you commit to conducting yourself like two predecessors who never forgot how to behave like public leaders on the debate stage?".