"In retrospect, it would be better to carve out issues to focus on in each debate," Turner says.

Turner's comments reflect the sentiment of some in the media, led by U.S. News and World Report Editor James M. Fallows '70, to develop a more structured discussion of issues in political campaigns at all levels.

In an effort that was stymied by the national networks, several Kennedy School faculty members this year proposed giving candidates blocks of free television time to respond to each other.

Turner suggests that in the race between Kerry and Weld, television stations, fearing limited ratings, may have stymied single-issue debates.

But Turner acknowledges that the debates in this campaign did at least have a positive impact on voters.

He suggests that Bay State voters are much better off than their peers in North Carolina, where no debates have occurred between Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and his Democratic challenger, former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt.

Indeed, the debates between Weld and Kerry may represent one factor of a unique campaign.

Both Kerry and Weld are each highly visible and articulate leaders. Neither candidate has much to lose by going head-to-head with his opponent.

In North Carolina, where Helms has much better name recognition than Gantt, the stakes in a debate are not equal.

For similar reasons, Sen. J. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) this year has refused to debate his Democratic challenger, Elliott Close.

And two years ago, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy '54-'56 (D-Mass.) hedged for several months before agreeing to debate his Republican opponent, venture capitalist W. Mitt Romney, only two times.

Trend-Setting?

The success of the eight debates between Kerry and Weld, however, may permanently alter the nature of American political campaigns.

Regardless of the circumstances, many candidates may find themselves pushed into a hefty debate schedule simply because of the precedent set by Kerry and Weld.

"It certainly sets a standard," Vaillancourt says.

In future years, voters across the country may become as lucky as those across the common-wealth have become this year: From North Adams to Province-town, Bay State residents know what they have to choose from--now they just need to choose.