Part of this is due to the kinds of questions asked by the media moderators. These first two “debates” were run by people from the Fox News Channel and, by media criteria, they were even praised by their competitors at CNN. But that just shows what is wrong with media criteria.

In the 2012 “debates,” moderator John King asked Newt Gingrich about his marital problems — and Gingrich drew a standing ovation from the audience when he pointed out that the millions of people who were watching on television had not tuned in to find out about his personal life. But then as well, others in the media sprang to John King’s defense, saying that any other media journalist would have asked that same question.

They might well be right. But that just shows what is wrong with the media. This year’s Fox News Channel moderators included people who are fine in their own programs. But cast in this new role as moderators, their reliance on the usual media practices was a great disservice to the country at a time when there are very serious — and potentially catastrophic — issues in the balance.

Is this country’s fate not as important as Donald Trump’s antics? Then why would the first of these “debates” open with a question about Donald Trump, who was not even present?