When looking back at the 1998 presidential debates, political reformers should reconsider the sponsorship and direction of future presidential debates. There is no debate about the need for presidential debates, especially in light of the increasing involvement by media handlers, but the debate should continue over which institution should "institutionalize" the debates in 1992. Political reformers should review three important needs for future debates: first, the need for more interaction between the candidates; second, the need for less formal and less rehearsed debates; and third, the need to involve the public in the discussion of the issues. The League of Women Voters is best suited to guarantee that future debates serve the public interest. The League has one primary goal--to promote an informed electorate. In the 1988 debates, where the political parties controlled the format, they failed to demonstrate that they were capable of presenting a fair and educational forum. The League, on the other hand, would focus the debates on public issues and concerns, such as education, the homeless, and foreign policy, which were issues that were missing from the 1988 debates. (MS)