Do debates matter?

… We love the illusion that the skills on display in debates somehow map onto the requirements of the presidency; and that we render political verdicts based on what appears to be intellectual trial by combat.

Don’t bet on it.

In reality, debates have probably never decided a presidential election. Michael Dukakis, Al Gore, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton all “won” their debates, but none won the White House. That does not mean debates have no effect — effects are just usually small and not decisive. CONT.

Mark Mellman (Mellman Group), The Hill

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