Debate on DebatesPredictably, it’s the time of year when the political debate becomes about debates. As someone who used to host and organize debates among political candidates, let me be clear: they are a complete waste of time, and so is the current debate about debates. In the last 20 years, name me a situation in a candidate debate in Iowa that made a difference—either gave us some light about a position or issue, or showed a candidate in either a favorable or unfavorable light. The bottom line is that they are nice rigid events, where the candidates barely acknowledge the other person’s presence. Sometimes, those response news releases are accidentally sent before the event is over; their crystal balls must be that good.