Great Debate Moments

Since 1960, televised debates have attracted millions of viewers and intense scrutiny, yet their effect on elections remains a matter of debate. Here are some highlights and the election outcome that ensued:

1960: In first televised debates, a tanned and rested John Kennedy bests a pale and sickly Richard Nixon on style. Kennedy narrowly wins election.

1964: Comfortably ahead in the polls, Lyndon Johnson refuses to debate. He wins election against Republican Barry Goldwater in a landslide.

1968-1972: Richard Nixon refuses to debate. He wins both times, first narrowly against Hubert Humphrey, then in a landslide over George McGovern.

1976: Already struggling to hold onto the White House, Gerald Ford appears to misread the Cold War division of Europe. He says, “There’s no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.” Running mate Bob Dole blames World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam on the Democrats. Ford and Dole lose the election to Democrat Jimmy Carter.

1980: Jimmy Carter invites ridicule by suggesting he gets policy advice from young daughter Amy. Ronald Reagan endears himself to the nation, dismissing a Carter broadside with a smile and the memorable line, “There you go again.” He sums up his campaign with the line, “It might be well if you ask yourself, are you better off than you were four years ago?” Carter loses, Reagan wins.

1984: In his first debate, Reagan struggles to come up with facts and figures, appears weak and raises questions about his age. In the second debate, he relaxes, appears in charge, and jokingly dismisses Walter Mondale: “I will not make age an issue in this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” Reagan wins re-election.

1988: Michael Dukakis is asked if he would favor the death penalty if his wife were raped and murdered. He gives a bureaucratic, passionless response about the death penalty and ignores the jarring thought of a loved one being slain. Dukakis loses the election to Republican George Bush.

1992: In the first town-hall style debate that lets citizens ask questions, George Bush appears distant, twice seen glancing at his watch in what is seen as a signal of impatience. He loses the election. Bill Clinton wins.

1996: Bob Dole tries to follow Reagan in turning away concerns about his advanced age. Clinton agrees, but zings Dole at the same time. “I don’t think Senator Dole is too old to be president,” Clinton says. “It’s the age of his ideas that I question.” Clinton wins.