Partisan "debates" aren't debates at all.
They've just become opportunities for each side to spout their scripted talking points.
I like the idea of a topic being picked out of a hat and let each candidate go for it. A flip of the coin would determine who goes first.
Each topic would run 15-20 minutes total for the candidates to argue their position. A moderator would ensure both candidates had their fair share of the total time to present their side. Then go on to the next topic.
These would be real debates and would be more lively and interesting to the electorate watching.
Spread over 2-3 hours total length, 6 to 9 topics or issues could be addressed.
I think a format like this would make the debates must see events and would show the candidates ad libbing their points rather than having a script. People would see the candidates for who they really are rather than giving a prepared speech.
The framing of debate topics itself lends bias.
The Left’s top 10 concerns do not mesh with mine.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/244367/top-issues-voters-healthcare-economy-immigration.aspx
Importance of Issues for Midterm Voting — Registered Voters
How important will each of the following issues be to your vote for Congress this year?
Extremely/Very important
%
Healthcare 80
The economy 78
Immigration 78
Way women are treated in U.S. society 74
Gun policy 72
Taxes 70
Foreign affairs 68
Way income and wealth are distributed in the U.S. 68
The recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court 64
U.S. trade and tariff policies 61
Climate change 53
Investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. election 45
GALLUP, OCT. 15-28, 2018
T
ILLEGAL immigration
privacy rights
property rights
governmental abuse of power by alphabet agencies (IRS, EPA, FBI, CIA, DOJ...)
national debt
Federalism