There is political red-meat and then there is over-the-top remarks. We are still very much a democracy and the PM/FNM was democratically elected. To suggest otherwise with phrases like "poisoned our democracy" and "intoxicated with power" is turning a wheel that itself is counter to our democracy and cannot so easily be shut off. More profoundly, it is self-revealing: It uncovers the naked, odious odor of a weak soul that is heavily burdened with all but three of the Seven Deadly Sins: There is evidence of Pride, Wrath, Envy, and Lust. This is monumental, almost Shakespearean. A tragic figure no less in an unfolding tragedy. The FNM victory ensures an irretrievable career for Mr McCartney.

The PM has already said that he has no interest in a farce, aka a debate, and I support him in that.If Christie and "2022" want to go before Jones and Nikki Kelly, and spew mindless verbiage and pablum, well, that is their affair. Colour red is all about winning, not pandering, and its winning time!

Who are worthy of Debate? Debate because its the United States way?
These fellows don't have anything constructive to say. When they do, maybe in 5 years a Bahamian Political Debate can take place. Can you imagine the Chaos. Papa, You have treated 'them' with the contempt they deserve.

Soon it will be all over and we can get back to managing the Country in a direction for ALL its Citizens.

An unfortunate tenor has arisen from some who support The Dear Maximum Leader and his new batch of minions in the party formerly known as the FNM that scares me. Yes a well organized political debate would have given us an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates rather than having to listen to their endless rhetoric filled speeches to rabid frothing at the mouth tribal colour clad followers we usually get every 5 years.
Hard questions as to why we sold out BTC at 51% and not 49% (which was the only figure ever publically mentioned by either the PLP or FNM) in a no-bid deal to C&W or after deluding their followers in 2007 that they would oppose many of the deals left on the table by the PLP the FNM merely went ahead an executed them with small tweaks in favor of their financial benefactors or why in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression our government chose to embark on aggressive tax and licensing fee collection regime on small businesses etc... We could have also clearly heard from all candidates their message as to how they intend to tackle our crime, education and economic crisis without filters and spin doctors shilling for them.
A well organized debate would have given the electorate one more data point to evaluate the prospective party’s agendas and the individual candidates make up first hand. Unfortunately the mindless tribal followers wish only to continue to jump up and down at rallies, parades and other forms of stupefying entertainment rather than engage in intelligent debate of the issues. For those of you whose minds are made up every election period based solely on tribal affiliations; you will never understand that the independent thinking voter wants to hear from our prospective leaders in as many possible forums before making up our minds.

I would not have a problem if the PLP and FNM leaders had a debate. The DNA candidate should not be there because he would just waste time and space. They have been shown to be a fringe party who lack broad support. In the US, you have to get at least 15% to be invited to a presidential debate. The DNA does not have that level of support and even they know that.

Victor, Firstly this not a presidential election and every constituency should have had an opportunity to hear from all prospective MPs. Secondly the DNA is polling between 15-17% in all the attempts to do credible polling thus far, although I believe it won't ultimately lead to more than a few seats if any in the end. Their presence is causing both relic parties much aggravation.

Bahamian people need to stop being loyal to parties for no reason.
I agree with McCartney ! Lets have a debate ! Our leaders should never back down from an opportunity to share their views with the country. Why should we only listen to them when they are preaching to us in an attempt to gather votes? A debate will allow for a situation where remarks will be accountable.

This is a red herring. The DNA is calling for a debate between the leaders not by constituency. The constitutional, legal and practical separation of powers in the US makes it necessary for the Executive branch of governement to outline their prospective plans which is often different from the Legislative branch. In fact its very typical to have a different party leading the executive branch from the party leading the legislative branch. Our system is quite different, therefore, these calls for a debate between the leaders, in my view, are more political than substantive. I believe in democracy, I believe in the collective wisdom of the Bahamian people and I believe that those of you who choose to denigrate the Bahamian electorate by calling them "tribal" refuses to accept the fact that ultimately history will show that those tribal voters have repeatedly choosen the appropriate political party for the times in each election since independence. Without choosing sides, I am faithful that they will again choose the appropriate party for the current times during this election.