I didn't have a chance to hear this debate. I worked late, got home around midnight, logged onto the inet, read the headlines - wow. I couldn't make myself read any of the stories or find the debate on line.

 I've been pretty diligent about listening to the debates this cycle, though. I caught most of them, both Republican and Democratic. From my perspective, this cycle has had three good "debates". The first was last summer at the Daily Kos convention, where the moderator was not only versed on the issues, but interested in them, and I thought all the candidates performed well. The second was <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOGO_channel>the LOGO channel</a>'s sequential conversations, in which each candidate had 15 minutes on stage alone with the host. I loved the format, and I didn't hear one trivial gotcha question.

The third was the one run by NPR, which was devoted to three issues only. The topic selection was somewhat arbitrary, but again, I thought the format very good.

 I hoped these examples would have had a salutory impact on the other debates, but alas, it was not to be. They seemed to be mostly about agendas and ratings, not about sharing information or illuminating the public discourse. Marc's comment is key. We deserve better.

About rebranding WYPR, Brandon is now touting awards won by the news department. Wonder why?

 A few years ago, I did some of my own research, and discovered that WYPR newspeople had won awards. I emailed Brandon, saying this information should be featured on the WYPR website. It subsequently was, but I think only that one time. That assertion might be wrong, I'm not positive.