When many people think of debates, they imagine ferocious slandering between two passionate candidates who fight desperately for the issues in which they believe. Brett O'Donnell, however, the director of debate for President George W. Bush in the 2004 elections, revealed Tuesday night the true nature and strategic planning behind political debates.

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(10.) They aren't debates!

(9.) The debates were hijacked from the truly independent League of Women Voters in 1986.

(8.) The "independent and non-partisan" Commission on Presidential Debates is neither independent nor non-partisan.

(7.) The secretly negotiated debate contract bars Kerry and Bush from any and all other debates for the entire campaign.

(6.) The debate contract effectively excludes all other serious presidential candidates from participating in the debates.

(5.) All members of the studio audience must be certified as "soft" supporters of Bush and Kerry, under selection procedures they approve.

(4.) These "soft" audience members must "observe in silence."

(3.) The "extended discussion" portion of the debate cannot exceed 30 seconds.

(2.) Important issues are locked out by the CPD debate rules and party control.

(1.) Fortune 100 corporations are the main funders of the CPD-sponsored debates, and the CPD's co-chairs are corporate lobbyists.

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