FISCAL BLOG

Debt was raised at the debates, but the candidates missed the opportunity to lat out their visions.

Last night’s debate third and final presidential debate included a dedicated segment on the national debt, giving both candidates a chance to talk about their vision for addressing America’s long-term fiscal challenges.

The words debt and deficit come up frequently in debates and conversations about the policy decisions that lawmakers face. The two concepts are similar, but are often confused.

Here are some important questions that the moderator could ask at the final debate to start the conversation about our nation’s most pressing fiscal concerns.

Polls show that voters are concerned about the nation’s fiscal health and would like to hear substantive plans from the candidates.

Stopgap legislation may keep the government operating in the short term, but lawmakers face a series of additional budgetary challenges in coming weeks and months.

At the first presidential debate, both candidates acknowledged the growing national debt, but voters want to hear more.