I have this all figured out.
First, announce that no RNC candidates will participate in any similar shenanigans in 2016. No more town halls or other crap. Candidates will be given equal time in future debates, and timing will be strictly enforced.
How to pick moderators: Let both parties submit 10 names and then throw all of the names into the trashcan. Cut a deal with the NFL to hire NFL officials to moderate each debate, equipped with three things:
1. A list of questions and rules
2. A stopwatch
3. An audio/video control box
Think about it. That is ALL you need in a moderator. When a candidates time is up or if he/she breaks the rules, the audience sees this for the duration of that persons time:
If you're not old enough to know what that is, it will be a teachable moment.
Awesome set of rules.
Ah, brings back fond memories, but will it also have that loud tone playing under the Indian test pattern?
I think a seriously entertaining debate structure would be to eliminate the moderator and eliminate questions.
Instead, each candidate would get specific periods of time. The first candidate would get 1 minute. Then they would alternate 3-minute time periods, and could say whatever they want. And at the end, the 2nd person would get 1 minute, the first 30 seconds, and the second 30 seconds (to limit the damage of the last person getting to throw out a bunch of stuff that doesn’t get answered).
The microphones would only be on during their periods. That would control the time. 3 minutes up, your mike cuts off. If you stop early, the other person still doesn’t get to start until their time starts.
Each candidate would either answer something the opponent said, or introduce a new topic, or raise questions — and the opponent could ignore those questions. People would decide for themselves how “presidential” each candidate was, and whether they seemed serious about the issues that were important.
If structure is needed, there could be “subjects” for each half-hour period, and the subject would be put across the top of the screen, so people would see the subject while the candidates spoke. The candidates could ignore the subject, and the viewers could decide if that was a good or bad decision.
If I remember correctly, this sign and its accompanying obnoxious tone was then followed by a really long movie of a polar bear in a blinding blizzard...
You need two moderators - one conservative, one liberal.
They agree on topics before the debate.
Conservative gets to ask a question on Topic #1 to the DEM candidate, DEM answers. GOP candidate gets to respond.
Liberal gets to ask a different question on Topic #1 to the GOP candidate, GOP answers. DEM candidate gets to respond.
Then, they move on to Topic #2.
No going over 2 minute time limit. No interrupting PERIOD. If caught interrupting, candidate loses his 2 minute response time and they go on to the next question.
“If you’re not old enough to know what that is, it will be a teachable moment.”
Don’t forget the playing of the National Anthem...