Are VP debates necessary?

In a previous letter, I said that in a nutshell the basic constraint of the presidential/vice presidential debates that are conducted by various entities and aired live by TV stations during this election season is the inadequate time allotted for each candidate to articulate his views on various problems confronting the nation. This constraint is quite understandable. Each candidate must be given a fixed and predetermined time limit to answer a particular question or issue, time limit which under no circumstances be allowed to compromise the TV station’s related and equally predetermined revenue from commercials.

Now, on second thought, the curious question tends to come to the fore: “Do vice presidential candidates really have to participate in these debates?” Let’s get real! Under the Constitution, the vice president shall assume the presidency only in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the president.

If the vice presidential candidates will not join these debates, the days and time allocated for the presidential debates could be significantly lengthened and would thus render the debates truly conducive to allowing the electorates ample opportunity to intelligently deliberate and decide on whom to vote for president.

Without the slightest intention to debase, demean, or otherwise underestimate the respective rights and capabilities of the vice presidential candidates to serve our people, all I wish, in offering this alternative, is to minimize, if not altogether eliminate, the basic limitations of these debates purely from the standpoint of objectivity, practicality, and plain common sense.

Rodolfo L. Coronel
[email protected]