Letters: Networks missing mark on debates

Last week’s debate in Colorado was an opportunity for Republican presidential candidates to discuss their positions, but CNBC and the candidates missed the mark.

Moderators ill-served potential voters by offering biased questioning and allowing false statements to go unchallenged.

Republican candidates also denigrated the process by offering lowlights: Donald Trump embarrassed John Kasich by equating Kasich’s stage position with his low poll numbers, and Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush sparred about Rubio’s voting record. Who cares?

Chris Christie exposed the fallacy of including a question about fantasy football rather than substantive issues. Ted Cruz’s impassioned statement, “This is not a cage match,” was followed by succinct examples of the moderators’ insulting questions. He concluded, “The questions illustrate why the American people distrust the media.” Cruz is right.

I hunger for a substantive debate that resonates with issues that impact my pocketbook and the quality of my life. Let’s hope that the networks will use each misstep as an opportunity to improve the process.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 12:48 PM with the headline "Letters: Networks missing mark on debates."