Why have 'DEBATES' become...

a matter of who throws-out the most 'ZINGERS-or-GOTCHA-lines'??? Yes some lines are more memorable than others LLOYD BENTSEN's line to DAN QUAYLE "...that you are no JOHN KENNEDY" or RONALD REGAN's line to WALTER MONDALE about his age - but is that all that we turn in too??? FOR ZINGERS??? Don't we analyze a candidate's decorum, demeanor, his-or-her knowledge of the facts, yes their looks; but don't we judge them on the 'whole package' and not just their ability or not to spout one-liners like late-night comics/entertainers???