Where did the meaning go?

The Presidential debates, along with modern society have taken a turn. When the Lincoln-Douglas debates took place, well-developed ideas were spoken.
With instant gratification and perfection; what Americans expect from the presidents, pressure is the key ingredient to a good news story. Take for example the time allotted for each of the candidates for the 2008 elections. Are you familiar with presentations? Ones that only last about 15 minutes? Well from my experience of watching many of these I can see that many high school students can lip service their way through. The candidates for 2008 had approximately 2 to 3 minutes to talk about one subject. With enough um, likes, dramatic pauses and blinking anyone could pass with at least a satisfactory grade. I believe that the historical change in the debates, one being crucial; time. The Lincoln-Douglas debates had about an hour and thirty minutes to talk about one to two topics. In this of course they could wander off topic but the audience also noted this. Also today we have a lot more problems that have a broad range when back at the Lincoln-Douglas debates talked mostly about Slavery, the economics, morals, and states rights.