Our legal system is commonly referred to as an "adversary system." The theory is that both sides should zealously represent their clients, that said clients are being represented by competent counsel, and that the side with the better arguments on the facts and the law will prevail in this system. In a perfect world, the side with the better argument should always win. If all other factors are equal, this will almost always happen. But all factors aren't always equal.
External factors such as skill level, local knowledge, the process, money, etc... can change the playing field, sometimes to the point where the weaker side prevails.
The same logic holds true in a political debate. Put any conservative in the country in a debate against me in a fair forum and I win 100% of the time. Change the rules to make my job harder and that percentage goes down. Make the rules really unfair and my percentage will drop below 50%.
The goal here is to minimize and eliminate the unfair advantages.
