A more stable financial base will increase its institutional strength and provide it with the resources needed to conduct more extensive public outreach and educational efforts. An endowment will reduce the Commission's dependence on sponsors who must be approached on a regular basis at a time when corporate and foundation resources face greater and greater pressures. It will also guard against the possibility of Commission members being distracted from other activities by fund-raising demands. The purpose of general election debates is to provide the public with an opportunity to see the major candidates confront each other so that voters may learn more about the individuals who will be the next president and vice president of the United States. The process must therefore ensure that the major candidates are invited to participate.
Debates best fulfill their purpose when conducted in a series employing different formats.
A series of varied debates offers candidates a better opportunity to make their cases to the electorate and places viewers in a better position to assess each candidate. At a minimum, there should be four presidential debates and one vice presidential debate prior to each election. At least one of the presidential debates should be held in early September to help stimulate public interest in the race and begin the process of focusing voters' attention on the choice they will face in November. This approach ensures that debates are held when public interest in the campaign is reaching a peak and the people are most likely to watch. Future debates should feature continued citizen participation and bolder, more innovative formats that stimulate interaction and actual debate between the candidates.