1. There should be 2 moderators. Each campaign picks a moderators. The other campaign can veto any choice. This way both campaigns have a moderator they like.
2. Each moderator will ask a question to each candidate, then the other moderator will ask each candidate a question. Then they will go back and forth.
3. Moderators will submit all questions to the candidates 3 days before the debate. Why are the questions a secret? Debates are about learning the stances of candidates on the issues and not about gotcha moments. Let the candidates know the questions, so they can have good answers to the questions.
4. Questions must be open-ended and not leading. Questions should start with the words: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How, and Tell me. Examples would be, "President Trump why did you pull America out of the Paris Climate Accord and how has that impacted the climate?" "Vice President Biden what is your stance on increasing the Supreme Court from 9 to 13 Justices." The moderators should not have questions where they state what they believe are facts and then ask a closed-ended question. Examples of bad questions would be, "President Trump climate change is now settled science and we have less than 10 years to save the planet, so don't you agree you were wrong to take us out of the Paris Climate Accord." "Vice President Biden the majority of Americans think that the open Supreme Court seat should remain open until after the election. Do you agree with Americans?"
5. Each candidate will get 90 seconds to answer each moderators question without interruption from the other candidate or moderator. The other candidate will then be given 30 seconds to rebuttal without interruption. Then 5 minutes of open debate. The candidates can go back and forth, ask each other questions, talk over each other, whatever and the moderators will only speak to end the debate after 5 minutes.
6. There should also be a light and bell system. During 90 and 30 second response at the 10 second mark a yellow light comes on. Once time is up a red light. 5 seconds after time a bell rings. 10 seconds after time the moderator interrupts. During open debate the yellow comes on at 30 seconds. Red at the end, and a bell after 10 seconds, then at 15 seconds he moderator will speak to stop the debate.
7. There should be 3 debates with a theme for each debate. One on the economy with questions on topics like taxes, energy, and jobs. The next debate on foreign policy on topics like trade with China, North Korea nuclear weapons, and Middle East peace deals. The last debate on domestic and social issues like topics on race relations and the police, abortion, and immigration. Each moderator will be allowed 1 question to each candidate that is not around the theme of the current debate.
8. Debate should be 90 minutes with no break.
9. At the end of the debate each candidate gets 2 minutes for a closing statement.
