Critiquing the Debate Formats

How can anyone call what we've seen at CNN a debate? Not only do the reporters and audience members toss soft-balls up to help candidates avoid gaffes on tough questions, but not even all of the candidates get a chance to respond to them. Possibly the second most important issue facing the U.S. (health care) got what...4 responses? How does that make sense? Are you really going to tell me the don't-ask-don't-tell policy of the military is more important than health care? Wolf Blitzer apparently thought so as everyone had a chance to respond to it. Absurd...