Explainer | Biden vs Trump and other memorable US presidential debate moments
- Here’s a look at some history-making moments from more than 60 years of modern American debates
Democratic US President Joe Biden and Republican former president Donald Trump plan to face off in a presidential debate on Thursday and another September 10 ahead of a November 5 election, part of a tradition marked by some of the most memorable moments of modern US political history:
1960
The first televised debate pitted Democratic nominee John F. Kennedy against Republican Vice-President Richard Nixon, who was recovering from a hospital visit and had a 5 o’clock shadow, having refused makeup. The 70 million viewers focused on what they saw, not what they heard. Kennedy won the election.
1976
In the first TV debate in 16 years, Democrat Jimmy Carter faced unelected incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford. In remarks seen as a major blunder, Ford said: “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration”. Carter won the election.
1980
Carter appeared in a second debate with Republican Ronald Reagan after boycotting the first for including third-party candidate John Anderson. The president accused Reagan of planning to cut Medicare healthcare funding for Americans 65 and older.
Reagan, who already had complained that Carter was misrepresenting his stands on a number of issues, said: “There you go again” and chuckled, drawing audience laughter and coining a catchphrase. Reagan won the election.
1984
Reagan, 73, successfully defused the issue of his age when he debated Democrat Walter Mondale, 56, quipping: “I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience”. Reagan was re-elected.
1988
A debate against Republican Vice-President George H.W. Bush opened with Democrat Michael Dukakis being asked whether he would favour the death penalty for someone who raped and murdered his wife.
The question offered a candidate dubbed “the iceman” by critics a chance to show his emotional side. His laborious response did just the opposite. Bush won the election.
The vice-presidential debate came alive when Dan Quayle, Bush’s running mate, compared himself politically to John F. Kennedy. Democrat Lloyd Bentsen replied in quiet, deadly tones: “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy”.
1992
Three candidates – Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton and independent Ross Perot – shared a stage. Clinton won the election.
