However, there has been no formal debate in the government, rather within the public.

Primary elections are over at this time, but formal debates have not started and the general election is still many weeks away.

Apparently the young Enforcer expected something more along the lines of a formal debate.

Once the formal debate begins, little real action is expected to occur until the end of the week.

He knows as well as anyone the stakes involved in a formal debate.

The passing of the motion without a formal debate was controversial.

The format is t a town meeting rather than a formal debate, but it will allow the two men to comment on each other's stands.

What might have been a mob scene had become a formal debate.

In Minnesota for instance, all formal debates begin with the pro.

The Main Business of the meeting, usually a formal debate, follows.