Plan would take the bias out of candidate debates

The first two Republican debates make clear and obvious that it is essential to remove the moderator from the process as much as possible. The current process makes it difficult for anyone to fairly moderate the debates. Add in moderator bias and commercialization, and it becomes impossible.Further, the process is inherently unfair and requires change. Here's my suggestion:

There are two hours or 120 minutes available to the debate. Remove 30 minutes for waste and commercials and 90 minutes remain. That is nine minutes to each of 10 candidates. Have the candidates seated on stage comfortably in a semicircle, behind a curtain. Have a lectern placed stage center. Section the time to allow each candidate one minute for opening statement, three minutes for domestic comment, three minutes for foreign comment, and two minutes for closing comment.

At random, call each candidate to the lectern one at a time for each section. To take the microphone out of the moderators hands, make it automatic. The candidate is informed when time starts. Have the microphone automatically cut off when time expires; call the next candidate. Stage hands can unobtrusively escort the previous candidate away if necessary. If PBS and NPR are used instead of commercial TV, cable TV service is not required and another minute can be added to closing comment.

The lighting in the waiting area would be lower than the stage area to eliminate standing under hot lights for two or more hours. There would be seating, bathroom breaks, water, and the like. Thus candidates will be refreshed and ready for each comment. And each candidate will be be center stage, alone with no interruptions.

Selecting the candidates at random just before each is called eliminates any perceived advantage to order and ensures viewers cannot tune out until a particular candidate speaks. It is important that the speaking order not be known in advance. Seating in the waiting area is by lot.

Candidates will, of course, each use their time as they want. So, instead of commenting on foreign policy one may choose to use their time criticizing another candidate. So be it, and viewers can choose which candidate makes the most germane presentation.

Unfortunately, this process eliminates most interaction between candidates and might be seen as a little boring by many. It may lower viewership. But it is fair, certainly allows more time for relevant comment and puts viewers in the best position to select the best candidate for them. The biggest advantage is that it makes it possible to keep to President Reagan's 11th commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.

The writer lives in North Myrtle Beach.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 11:10 AM with the headline "Plan would take the bias out of candidate debates."