One politician challenging another to a series of debates is often the political equivalent of sports trash talk. We tend to laugh or roll our eyes, because we know much of what we're hearing is just that: talk.

We had our concerns with the back-and-forth between incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, Rep. Beto O'Rourke. O'Rourke wanted six debates. Cruz has countered with five. But based on the subject matter and locations, we think five debates is a great way to go.

That said, we have some suggestions and observations.

Sen. Ted Cruz is running against U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke, for the Texas seat in the U.S. Senate. (Rose Baca & Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)

The modern political debate resembles more of a guest panel on cable news. Candidates have limited time to discuss the issues substantively, and as a result, viewers get left with nothing more than social-media-ready sound bites. Voters should have access to the best information possible, and we suggest the debates have a moderator willing to make sure Cruz and O'Rourke stay on point with the issues and don't veer off into personal attacks and campaign stump speeches.

We like that Cruz strategist Jeff Roe suggested the debates take place in a wide geographic area around Texas. We certainly agree with the suggestion of Dallas as a venue at the end of August for the first debate. The other cities on Roe's list — Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock and McAllen — include a balance of large metroplexes and midsize cities to highlight the critical topics the candidates will discuss.

Most important is that the debates should focus on key issues. It feels a little trite to say that any single election is more critical than any other, but the U.S. Senate race in Texas does have major implications not only for the state but for the country. That's why it is imperative that these debates focus on key issues voters actually care about.

It is for that reason we support five debates structured to focus on issues such as the economy, health care, immigration, border security, trade and the Supreme Court. The Republican Party holds a slim majority in the U.S. Senate, and these topics will illuminate key issues Congress will weigh in on over the next six years. Voters deserve to have a chance to see how deeply O'Rourke and Cruz understand these important issues.

People across Texas have just over three months to decide between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke. These debates will be a public service if they are robust and substantive and if they sketch out the differences between these two candidates.

In this politically divisive period in our history, it is particularly important to ensure that voters are well-armed with the facts about the issues and the candidates as they head into the voting booth. Five good debates would be a good start.

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