Editor's note: We asked all our finalists to watch and then assess the debate between Delaware Senate candidates Chris Coons and Christine O'Donnell this morning.

Was that a senate debate or an episode of Survivor Delaware? Place two contestants on Widener Island throw in some questions and see what crazy antics will occur. It felt wrong to have the whole thing take place on an early morning at a law school. Come on, let's just drop the pretense and give these characters a cool studio set, soundtrack music and for heaven sakes, let the audience participate!

It's scary when you realize you're watching a US Senate debate almost exclusively for entertainment. In this reality drama the usual characters arose. There was the smart "straight man" we'll call him Prof. Coons, and O'Donnell, the contestant you love to hate. The worst she is the more you want to see. Oh boy, did she deliver! We watched O'Donnell implode on a series of questions about the constitution. It was like an episode of Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader? She seriously needed an opportunity to turn and ask a fifth grade class if the separation of church and state was located in the first amendment. Unfortunately, no students were available.

But luckily Prof. Coons was there, to offer rational arguments, a calm tone and an occasional reprimand to O'Donnell and the moderator on proper debate etiquette.  The moderator and judges accepted his rebukes and moved on quickly, because after all this was the How Crazy is Christine O'Donnell Show. The questions were, time and again, focused on exposing her as unknowledgeable and unqualified. Both true, but skewing the debate so far from being intelligent, that basically you could only surmise that Prof. Coons was not insane.

This may ultimately be the sad impact of the Tea Party movement on American politics. The debate has moved so far away from seriousness. It has lowered the bar for what Democratic candidates need to put forth. It gives Coons an opportunity to leave open the question about repealing the Bush tax cuts for those earning over $250,000, makes him not have to answer questions about Pakistan, nor education, nor a host of other critical issues. It's downright scary. These guys may be able debate like reality TV, but in the end they'll have to govern in the real world.

Read more entries from this challenge round. Check out what the judges think. And come back Friday to vote. 

By Amina Luqman  |  October 19, 2010; 11:17 AM ET  | Category:  Blogging Challenge
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