US presidential debates over the years: gaffes, chaos, scandals
US presidential debates have ranged from hilarious to violent, and everything in between, from Gerald Ford's disastrous Soviet mistake to Ronald Reagan's clever comment about his age and Joe Biden's request that Donald Trump "shut up."
These are a few of the standout exchanges spanning almost 60 years of contemporary American discussions.
Nixon - Kennedy, September 26, 1960
It established the significance of a politician's public image and was the first debate of its sort to be broadcast on television, back when broadcasts were still in black and white. Vice President Richard Nixon, a Republican, appeared to be winning the race after serving two terms under Dwight Eisenhower.
However, he did not have a good debate. In front of over 66 million spectators, Nixon refused to wear makeup and came out as pale and sweating, while the young senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy, appeared relaxed and tanned. Kennedy addressed his supporters straight through the camera as Nixon spoke to the moderator.
Kennedy went on to defeat Nixon in the polls, though it is debatable to what extent the debate visuals had an impact.
Carter-Ford, October 6, 1976
There was a 27-minute audio loss during the inaugural debate between Republican president Gerald Ford and Democratic opponent Jimmy Carter. Ford's performance in the second debate was as subpar, as he committed an error that may have cost him the presidency.
Reagan responded, "I will not make age an issue of this campaign," when asked if he was qualified for the position. "I refuse to take advantage of my opponent's youth and inexperience for political gain," he declared.
Perot, Bush, and Clinton, October 15, 1992
In the 1992 presidential debate, incumbent George Bush faced off against future nominee Bill Clinton and independent contender Ross Perot.
During a town hall discussion, Bush made a costly mistake when he was seen on video staring at his watch while Clinton spoke to a member of the audience.
Bush acknowledged his dislike for the debates years later, stating, "Perhaps that's why I was looking at it, like, 'Only 10 more minutes of this crap.'"
Romney-Obama, October 22, 2012.
In a debate against President Barack Obama, Republican opponent Mitt Romney bemoaned the fact that there were less ships in the US Navy today than there were in 1916.
It took Ford six days to give an explanation, claiming that he was referring to the fact that people's spirits had not been broken rather than the actual military presence.
Mondale – Reagan, October 21, 1984
When he challenged 56-year-old Walter Mondale for a second term in office, Republican President Ronald Reagan was 73 years old. But with a sharp response that became part of history, he was able to use his advanced age to his advantage.
Reagan responded, "I will not make age an issue of this campaign," when asked if he was qualified for the position. "I refuse to take advantage of my opponent's youth and inexperience for political gain," he declared.
Perot, Bush, and Clinton, October 15, 1992
In the 1992 presidential debate, incumbent George Bush faced off against future nominee Bill Clinton and independent contender Ross Perot.
During a town hall discussion, Bush made a costly mistake when he was seen on video staring at his watch while Clinton spoke to a member of the audience.
Bush acknowledged his dislike for the debates years later, stating, "Perhaps that's why I was looking at it, like, 'Only 10 more minutes of this crap.'"
US presidential debates have ranged from hilarious to violent, and everything in between, from Gerald Ford's disastrous Soviet mistake to Ronald Reagan's clever comment about his age and Joe Biden's request that Donald Trump "shut up."
These are a few of the standout exchanges spanning almost 60 years of contemporary American discussions.
Nixon - Kennedy, September 26, 1960
It established the significance of a politician's public image and was the first debate of its sort to be broadcast on television, back when broadcasts were still in black and white. Vice President Richard Nixon, a Republican, appeared to be winning the race after serving two terms under Dwight Eisenhower.
However, he did not have a good debate. In front of over 66 million spectators, Nixon refused to wear makeup and came out as pale and sweating, while the young senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy, appeared relaxed and tanned. Kennedy addressed his supporters straight through the camera as Nixon spoke to the moderator.
Kennedy went on to defeat Nixon in the polls, though it is debatable to what extent the debate visuals had an impact.
Carter-Ford, October 6, 1976
There was a 27-minute audio loss during the inaugural debate between Republican president Gerald Ford and Democratic opponent Jimmy Carter. Ford's performance in the second debate was as subpar, as he committed an error that may have cost him the presidency.
Even though the Soviet Union had troops stationed throughout the Eastern Bloc, Ford declared during the height of the Cold War that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration."
It took Ford six days to give an explanation, claiming that he was referring to the fact that people's spirits had not been broken rather than the actual military presence.
Mondale – Reagan, October 21, 1984
When he challenged 56-year-old Walter Mondale for a second term in office, Republican President Ronald Reagan was 73 years old. But with a sharp response that became part of history, he was able to use his advanced age to his advantage.
Reagan responded, "I will not make age an issue of this campaign," when asked if he was qualified for the position. "I refuse to take advantage of my opponent's youth and inexperience for political gain," he declared.
Perot, Bush, and Clinton, October 15, 1992
In the 1992 presidential debate, incumbent George Bush faced off against future nominee Bill Clinton and independent contender Ross Perot.
During a town hall discussion, Bush made a costly mistake when he was seen on video staring at his watch while Clinton spoke to a member of the audience.
Bush acknowledged his dislike for the debates years later, stating, "Perhaps that's why I was looking at it, like, 'Only 10 more minutes of this crap.'"
Romney-Obama, October 22, 2012.
In a debate against President Barack Obama, Republican opponent Mitt Romney bemoaned the fact that there were less ships in the US Navy today than there were in 1916.
