In reality, the event was no debate at all. I saw it as more of a session for platform statements and subsequent questions. Given it was the Federalist Society instead of, say, the Mother's Gang-Crime Support Group, the audience was interested in law. It was my impression that Helmke's platform, law-wise, was seen as a non-issue (or at least a non-starter), while Gura's statements were eagerly taken in and discussed afterward, including mostly academic questions and ensuing discussions. There was no such intellectual interest directed toward Mr. Helmke.