For a time Tuesday night, it seemed some of the candidates involved in the debate for Student Association executive positions had decided to create an unscheduled event as part of comedy week.

To be sure, the crowd was amused, as laughter sounded on numerous occasions during the nearly two-hour forum. It appeared some of the candidates were amused as well. At times, they joined in the laughter and even told a joke or two.

And yes, even the moderator seemed amused. He threw in a few punch lines of his own while performing his duties.

But there is a problem with all of this.

The debate should not have been a joking matter.

Considering the abysmal state of the SA senate—as can be seen in poor attendance records, lack of interest and overall indifference to responsibility—the debate should have been an opportunity to show there is some hope the SA might again become a useful and effectual body.

That did not happen.

What did happen should serve as a source of embarrassment for anyone who claims to be concerned with effective student government.

What did happen was mindless bickering and name calling between candidates.

What did happen was a disregard for the format of the debate by candidates.

What did happen was heckling and jeering from the audience directed at the candidates.

In short, what did happen was pathetic.

The purpose of a political debate is to discuss issues. Hopefully, this will lead to a better public understanding of where the candidates stand.

Participants in debates should inform, not amuse or entertain. But it appears some of last night’s participants failed to understand this. That’s too bad.

While it’s too late to change the events of last night, there is something that could be done.

The candidates who allowed the debate to degenerate into a night at the circus should look deep inside themselves and decide if they are serious and sincere in running for office. If they find they are not, they should spare the campus the possibility of their being elected and drop out of the race now.

Tuesday’s debate provided people with the opportunity to see the candidates clearly. Hopefully, their vision was not too obstructed to make a wise choice come election day.