fact checking the debates
factcheck.org: FactChecking Debate No. 1
the debates should be like trials, where evidence is submitted ahead of time. each candidate submits the facts they plan to use for their arguments, and they are independently verified and approved ahead of time. only then can they be referred to in the debate.
they spent too much time arguing over who said what and what it meant (e.g. what Kissinger said about talking to Iran without preconditions). it’s a complete waste of time to see them arguing over who’s telling them truth.
for what it’s worth, the Kissinger back & forth was comletely caused by McCain twisting Obama’s words. Kissinger did say that we should meet w/o preconditions (but not at the presidential level). McCain kept insisting that Obama meant presidential meetings.