What key factor do debates highlight during elections?

Debates during elections serve as a crucial platform that allows candidates to present their policies and demonstrate their performance under pressure. This setting enables voters to critically assess candidates' stances on key issues, their ability to articulate their positions, and how they handle challenging questions or unexpected situations.

By engaging in live discussions, candidates showcase their depth of knowledge on various topics and reveal their decision-making process, which is vital for voters seeking clarity on what a candidate would pursue if elected. The immediacy of the debate environment also tests candidates' composure and adaptability, allowing the electorate to gauge their capability to represent and lead effectively.

While factors like personal life, attractiveness, and endorsements do play roles in an election, debates are uniquely positioned to focus primarily on the intellectual and policy-oriented aspects of each candidate, making option C the most relevant and significant factor in this context.