This is why the debate format needs to be totally changed. A big media network with paid shills and incestuous relationships forcing a “winner” on the people.
I know how to change the debates to make them much better.
No moderators. It is agreed upon in advance which candidates belong on stage, limiting it to the top 10 at first, and narrowing the field over the season. The candidates all pick 5 topics, maybe they even ask for topics from the public, then the candidates (and their people) communicate among themselves only and consolidate which topics they ALL agree on. At the debate, there is simply a mild host to run the timing of the topics. For example, they will speak for X minutes each on the Middle East. Then they will be able to rebut one another for another several minutes on that topic. Then the time is up and the next topic begins.
We don’t need no steenkin moderators.