The audience, such that it was, chattered excitedly ahead of Tuesday night’s debate. It sounded almost human.

“Good evening, and thanks for joining us on this unique occasion for an exchange of ideas between the two candidates running to be the next lieutenant governor of Virginia,” intoned a disembodied voice. Viewers at home watched a still image of an ostensibly humanoid rendering of a debate moderator — a white, uncannily smooth, middle-aged man wearing a jacket and tie and a vacant smile.

In contrast to the moderator, a flesh and blood John Reid, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, stood behind a podium. Propped up on the dais next to him was a computer monitor displaying a picture of his opponent, Democratic state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi.

Reid has criticized Hashmi for d

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