Voters who tuned in to the third Republican presidential debate hoping to learn about candidates' plans for energizing the American economy, boosting job creation and narrowing income inequality could not help but be disappointed. Little was revealed in any of those areas, which were supposed to be the evening's focus.

Instead, candidates jousted with one another and with moderators, who bear much of the blame for the lack of illumination, asking few follow-up questions and wasting precious time with queries about fantasy sports and personal weaknesses. Why not ask what book they last read?

One can understand the frustration of Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who has a record of reform in his state, who chaired the House Budget Committee as a congressman, and who pushed through both welfare reform and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. At the debate's outset, Kasich decried — without naming names — the "fantasy" positions of candidates who propose to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants (Donald Trump) and to convert the American tax system to a flat tax, somehow wiping out every deduction and loophole (Ben Carson). "We are on the verge, perhaps," Kasich warned, "of picking someone who cannot do this job."

Debates, while entertaining, cannot be the main source of information for voters as they make their decisions. They do provide important glimpses into character and can expose vulnerabilities in a way that no position paper will. Viewers watched front-runner Carson offer nearly incomprehensible answers on taxes and health care while, inexplicably, calling for "a major reduction of regulatory influence" over prescription drugs. Trump was quieter than in previous debates, but did little to prove he understands the world's most complex economy. It's easy to talk about a $10 trillion tax cut that won't grow the deficit. It's the "how" that always proves elusive.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio showed an ability to think on his feet and neatly dispatched his former mentor, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, when the latter came after him for missing Senate votes. He also hinted at a major restructuring of priorities for admitting immigrants — one that focuses on needed skills and the intent to become a citizen rather than family reunification.

Kasich spoke of a massive shift of federal funds to states in block grants. That's an old idea, but one that deserves a fresh look. Are states up to the task? The track record has been mixed. Is it fair to ask states to pay money only to have the federal government act as a pass-through, reapportioning the cash and sending it back out to states with no strings? How far away does that put us from simply letting every state keep its own?

Despite two terms leading his state and a lifetime in politics, Bush bumbled on stage as badly as any newcomer. He has fairly detailed plans on taxes, health care, border security, and energy. But he seems wholly unable to articulate a vision that would motivate voters.

In a political landscape dominated by big personalities and rhetorical flourishes, voters must find a way to cut through the noise and listen for quieter voices that ultimately have more to say.