The 1988 campaign is over, and once again the issue of the networks' coverage of the presidential campaign has been raised. Critics have concluded that the coverage of the campaign was reduced to "sound bites," tightly controlled debates and slick television ads. Unfortunately, little attention was paid to the most important issue in the campaign: "Who is the most qualified leader to guide our nation into the 1990s?" In the 1988 campaign the issues and strategies on both sides were focused on television attacks, counterattacks, and counter-counter attacks on patriotism, competence, and experience--qualities that should be inherent in any candidate for the office of the presidency. The public needs to hold our candidates and the media accountable for a thorough discussion of leadership-oriented issues. The questions is not whether the system needs to be reformed, but how and when. (MS)