[TheAdamAndChe]

The purpose of the very public political debates is not to discuss issues and learn from one another. It's an opportunity for two political opponents to convince other people why they should be elected and not the other person.

There may be a place for actual political discussion between the two sides, but expecting two warring politicians to do so publicly just before an election is not going to happen.

[zozbot234]

Sure but by the same token, the point of discussing issues is that if you can do it passably, it can be a bit more convincing towards the audience than the usual soundbites and lazy negative claims about The Other Guy. But perhaps it's not exactly fair to expect that sort of semi-real discussion from either Biden or Trump.

[TheAdamAndChe]

It sounds more convincing to what demographic? It may convince people of above average intelligence, but half of all people have below average intelligence. For those people, emotional appeals will probably be more convincing than boring, logical arguments.