It's not an uncommon tactic, unfortunately. Some are just better at it than others. Congratulations to you for smelling out the trap before it was even laid.
“You’re gathering the pattern, really. From what I’ve seen as an outside observer, it seems your debate partner here is attempting to lead you to the answer they want you to give, to try to set up an “a-ha” or “gotcha”.”
Yes, they are pathetic.
It generates ideas. Some good, some bad, some boring. Some influential, some not.
It’s a marketplace of ideas.
Both right-wing and left-wing conspiracy people are not smart enough to legitimately debate, and so are afraid of allowing the other side to field its ideas.
Me, I know conservative ideas always end up be proven correct, and so I am not afraid to be challenged.