Some debates actually make it look like the person who is wrong look like the one in the right. This can happen because of many factors, such as persuasiveness not necessarily based on facts.
I have even heard people who to the person who isn't in the habit of checking facts say things in such a way that seem to put anything the opponent says into question. Thus rendering them at a huge disadvantage, regardless of whether or not their material is factual or not.
Case and point, is James Dobson on Donahue on the subject of spanking. Even though Donahue agreed to a list of stipulations that Dobson asked for in order to go on the show. Donahue lied and arranged to have him ganged up against. The results made it look to the average watcher like Dobson was just a behind the times ignoramus who taught people to hurt their children.
This was neither fair nor truthful, but never the less effective.

Tom