Agreed. National "debates" are merely window-dressing for platforms, with little substance or import. Sides re-hash their campaign slogans and policies, points of rebuttal and general nastiness to the other side. I know of only 1 political leader who has ever eschewed the chance to criticise the other side's policies or criticism of him, saying "Not my place to comment - they're irrelevant to what we're doing...". That person was one of the most progressive State leaders here in Australia, former Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews.

*Disclaimer: I worked as his photographer for >10 years.