Right now it would be suicide. The debates would be like chess with a pidgeon, and there's no way they come out looking good to the independents. Hard core right winger's would get the soundbites, despite having nothing of substance to say, by basically being outrageous. This will inflame their base "because they're just like us", and the independents would focus on the fact that the democrat isn't getting as many 'gotcha' points as the republican, despite the republican not focusing on any viable policy. When you have 2 people debating actual policy, then the people can make an informed decision.

The path we're on now will get herbert mountain dew camacho in the fucking presidency in a few years.