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ABC News is the only news network that hosted a true debate.

Many Americans have stopped watching debates among party candidates, because of the lack of character surrounding the event. I mean character in terms of mutual respect among candidates in an atmosphere to reveal each of their positions at a professional and dignified manner. I consider most debates to be nothing more than a pointless shows that tries to boil off the blood pressures of citizens, who are trying to seek real information about the candidates. Unfortunately these debates mirror elements from a rival college football game, where crowds cheer and jeer while the referee tries to maintain composure, although I highly suspect that Wolf Blitzer has no other intentions except to squeeze as much politically juicy questions before advertisers claim the stage.

The cable news channels have failed categorically in maintaining character of the true debate. Candidates and pundits take advantage of this hypocritical event for their respective utility purposes, and instead of getting answers, viewers are left with more controversial questions left by the deceitful propaganda after the circus show.

Yes, most televised debates in recent months are considered as shows not dignified events. Anderson Cooper makes the habitual interruption of candidates’ time every ten minutes, and ridiculous YouTube questions beg an inquiry whether CNN is trying to become Comedy News Network. Even if the questions were carefully crafted by supposedly political experts, the circus shows are full of campaign related questions that try to create another spark among the candidates.

It is unfortunate that these debates are considered to be high profile events despite the absence of character in these events. If candidate A makes an outlandish attack at candidate B, then even the most prestigious newspapers and real newspapers carry a wire story about the event. Although wire news articles about the debates try to incorporate relevant substance surrounding the event, it is nevertheless a waste of precious newspaper space when such story gets published.

The fundamental criticism of the televised debates is the news media’s obsession in creating fire, but not light. Although I respect and sometimes admire news reporting of many news channels, I will nevertheless not watch debates hosted by the following news networks: NBC/MSNBC, CNN, and FOXNEWS. Unless I find some type of metaphysical enlightenment in watching these events, my boycott will stand until the primaries are over.

ABC News stands as the exception to my harsh criticisms to the news networks. Charles Gibson truly conveyed his vision of a real debate, where candidates engage in conversations among themselves. Charles emphasized the importance of the debate, and he tried to remove himself from the stage to let the candidates have as much speaking time as possible. You can see Charles as not a moderator but the curtain opener and closer. The ABC News debate stood as one of the most delicately engineered events so that the network could deliver as much substance to the viewer. The debate was so successful that even CNN decided to re-air the program on its network!

One moment that truly touched my heart in the ABC News debate was when Charles Gibson asked both the Democrats and the Republican candidates to come out of stage and greet one another. Charles wanted leave partisan aside for a moment and let the viewer appreciate the significance of the event. I have never seen such a warm atmosphere during the politically significant event. This moment was the time when character illuminated to all Americans, cutting across political divides and rivalries.