Debating distractions

Of all the debates held in Minnesota over the years, few rival the traditional “last debate” at the Fitzgerald Theater for substance. Moderator Gary Eichten had a simple rule: The focus is on the ideas and content of the candidates up for election, not the ability of the audience to cheer louder than their opponents.

This week, a moderator of a national debate — Brian Williams — set ground rules that the audience’s job primarily was to be quiet and let the candidates live and die on their own substance.

Some politicians hated that idea.