LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Tens of millions of people tuned in to watch the first presidential debate on Tuesday night, to what many considered to be a 90-minute-long meltdown.
There was chaos, insults, interruption, and a lot of confusion. And political analysts say none of that does voters any good.
"We thought it would get out of hand in moments, but it got out of hand and stayed out of hand," said Bob Babbage, managing partner of Babbage Cofounder.
"There was no opening statement by these two candidates. There was no closing statement," he added. "There was very little talk to outline the future, and that's what most people are hoping for, looking for."
Babbage says the next two presidential debates need more structure. Debates have set rules that are agreed upon by all sides involved. However, they were ignored last night. Babbage suggested the moderator call a time out if this happens again.
"Send the two candidates back to their dressing rooms," said Babbage. "See a top aide of each campaign on the stage on a microphoned conversation to say 'here are the rules from now on - your mic will be cut when you're not called upon, and it will be on for the other person. If you interrupt that, we'll go to one candidate off the stage while the other candidate is on.'"
As far as the candidates go, Babbage says they need to focus on what people want to hear, and that involves their plans for the future of the country.
"Both of those candidates have to talk about the future of the country, and specifically what they would do."
The organization that manages presidential debates says there will be changes made "to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues" at future debates this season.
