These debates are sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The format and the rules are those negotiated by representatives of the two campaigns. Only the subjects tonight and the questions are mine. The format tonight is that of a conversation.
Conversational debates are an important part of the election process.
The debate was in the form of a conversation according to the snippet. Debates are a very important part of the presidential election process.  It's why we have them.
( z1 debate :mod ( z2 converse ) :part-of ( z3 process :ARG1 ( z4 elect ) ) :ARG1-of ( z5 important ) )