Yeah. To that point.
I'm an outlier on this question, because I don't think the stage-managing of the debates is the problem. The problem is the pretense. When you have ten freaking candidates on the stage, there simply isn't enough time for everyone to make a point.
Two options present themselves -- scripted questions or longer debates. Either you arrange the questions or you allow a whole hell of a lot more time. Six hours, minimum.
The problem isn't the staging. It's the falsehood. It's not a debate. It's not a "town hall." The few questions from the audience aren't "average citizens." And that's fine. Anyone paying attention knows the "debates" are pure theater. Just stop lying to us about it.
Whether I agree with your conclusions or not, I have one request, which I think is fair -- don't piss on my shoes and tell me it's raining.
WE can agree on that, it was very similar to a bad infomercial, the questions from the “audience” are scripted, and of course the “product” will be the best brightest and most qualified and exactly what “we” need...
It is my opinion though, that the American Public has no idea how completely the entire thing was scripted like a “Head on” commercial...