[Quicksilver]

I don’t pay much attention to debate performances until the field is down to 3 or 4 on the stage. The only debates that really matter are the Presidential debates right before election day; that’s when the undecided watch. By then the candidates are pretty well rehearsed. Good debating skill is icing on the cake, but it’s not the cake.

[NautiNurse]

Just because you don't pay attention to debates until late in the game doesn't mean the rest of them don't matter. The debates provide newcomers and under-funded candidates the opportunity for name recognition and exposure to the national audience.

On the other hand, Perry was quickly exposed via the debates not only for his tongue-tied speech problems, but also for lambasting a heartless conservative audience.