In Our Opinion: Do presidential debates really provide an even platform?

It's widely argued as to what extent the presidential debates play in the eventual outcome of an election.

One side of history, at least that which has been studied and measured by the Gallup organization – as famous for their polls as Idaho is potatoes – say debates are rarely “game changers,” a 2008 Wall Street Journal article suggested.

With the exception of two times – 1960 and again in 2000 where a small movement in the public opinion generated by the debate cycle could have helped dictate the outcome – the face off between candidates is said to have been a relative non-factor.

John F. Ke...