Obama and Romney agreed on debate rules in advance. OMG, NO WAY!

 By

Sean Ewart

Isn't this exciting?

Thanks to Time, we all now have proof of what we already knew: the presidential debates are – wait for it – just a public spectacle. 

Long before the first debate on Oct. 3, the candidates had set out some absurd terms of engagement [they call it a memorandum of understanding]. 

For instance, Obama and Romney are not able to ask each other direct questions during the debates. What the fuck? 

This does, however, explain Obama’s performance on Oct. 3. He didn’t ask Romney why he was lying so much because the rules told him he couldn’t.

On the other hand, these rules are far from exhaustive. 

For instance, there is nothing stopping Obama from showing up in a Big Bird costume. And while the costume could be read as violating the “no… tangible things may be brought into the debate by any candidate” clause, so could suits (no seriously, that’s in the rules).

A rigid reading of the memorandum would require both candidates arrive naked. (Fingers crossed).

Of course, I’m sure these sorts of agreements are as common as, well, presidential debates. This “leaked” document is only slightly more newsworthy than this racist guy at a Romney rally. Shocker.