To the editor:

Really – of what real value are these debates we patiently await to see?

True, it does showcase each candidate but more often the debates are geared not for public information so much as advertising dollars to the network. The job performance they will need to master is not truly evaluated in these debates. How anyone of them would handle the mundane actions that are requisite in the position could possibly be somewhat assessed. How any of them might perform in a crisis is unknown. It cannot be predicted as one would need all the information that would have to considered at the time of the event. Politics, economies and shifting alliances all come into play. There is no other realistic manner in attempting to determine how effective someone would be to make crucial decisions. The most important ingredient here would be the quality of his advisors and the secretaries of the various departments. The success of any president is built upon the knowledge of this team. A poor team or a president that fails to listen to them cannot be effective and leads only to a failed decision, or at worse, a failed presidency.

It has been said by some, me included, that the present slate of Republican candidates contains not only the promise of a good president but also seems to contain the makings of a superb Cabinet.

However, the debates with their “gotcha” moments does little to showcase who would actually perform at the highest level for the American people.

And so, the debates remain as political entertainment with little regard to qualifications. However, the debates and the primaries are a far better cry than the old back room hacks, political machines and the deals with big money.

Joseph L. Kibitlewski

Cape Coral