Do Presidential debates serve any purpose ?

I don't know about the presidential debates but if the VP debate keeps Tina Fey employed I say - YYYEEEESSSSSS!!!

Mandi

Millions of $ are generated in the way of advertisement during the debate

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"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

Very good material for SNL. Hehehe.

So its all really a con job.. They debate, the polsters and the media earn their money and the public is none the wiser..

No, they're not even real debates. Just a chance for the candidates to get up there and rattle off their memorized spiels. I tried to watch the VP candidates, but kept zoning out...yawn... so I finally gave up.

I don't think the majority of the population understand what's being said. I mean if one of the people participating in the debate can't even understand the questions, how do you expect the people watching to?

You have a very valid point there..

I wonder if our American friends actually watch them and are "swayed" by them..

Yes. They provide unlimited material for Saturday Night Live and the Daily Show.