Those candidates CHOOSE to play the left's game. They KNOW the left and let them control them anyway. Maybe THEY aren't too bright.
Palin HAS been in debates. And she won them.
Debates didn't even exist until Kennedy vs Nixon. Johnson chose NOT to debate Goldwater. Johnson knew he'd lose. Maybe the current crop should get a clue.
You may be right about the necessity of debates. Palin would have a very difficult time wiggling out of her position on amnesty for illegals if she were subjected to the exact same kind of grilling given to Perry on this issue. I see NO difference and she may be even more lax on the issue than Perry.