I think your last point on Peterson is very characteristic of preparation.
Optimistic Skeptic
11

Austin Petersen has an advantage in preparation since his job is media. His job isn’t just anything, but as founder and owner of companies like The Libertarian Republic and Stonegait LLC, he has the most preparation even before any candidates decided to run. The other candidates have day jobs unrelated to preparing for this debate, so they had to prepare a limited amount of time. Austin Petersen by contrast prepares for debates just by doing his job.

Skills from the above businesses give him an advantage for debates even before you factor in stuff from the campaign.