In 1950, only 9% of Americans had a television in their home. By 1960, this number rose to 90%.
Presidents had appeared on TV long before 1960. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to appear on television, though in a limited capacity. Harry S. Truman held the first televised presidential address in 1947, and had the first televised ad in the 1948 election. Dwight D. Eisenhower frequently appeared on television. That being said, it wasn’t until the end of Eisenhower’s tenure that presidents would be able to reach a wide audience.
When the 1960 election arrived, Americans were glued to their TV. With this in mind, campaigns agreed to televised debates for the first time. Though they did not host debates in 1964, 1968 and 1972, televised debates have become a norm in American politics. Millions tune in to watch their potential presidents duke it out with quick words, campaign policies and the odd insult.
So what has happened in the sixty-four years of televised debates? Let’s find out.
(Whilst the vice presidential debates have given us some fascinating moments, this story is focussed solely on the presidential debates. Sorry, VP fans).
1960
- Chicago, Illinois- 26th September 1960 (moderator: Howard K. Smith of CBS)
- Washington D.C- 7th October 1960 (moderator: Frank McGee of NBC)
- Los Angeles, California and New York City, New York- 13th October 1960 (moderator: Bill Shadel of ABC)
- New York City, New York- 21st October 1960 (moderator: Quincy Howe of ABC)
The first series of presidential debates happened in 1960. It pitted Senator John F. Kennedy against Vice President Richard Nixon. Much was made of Kennedy’s youth, though he was only four years younger than Nixon, and he was considered handsome. He was charismatic, and used his family, particularly his wife, sisters and sisters-in-law in campaigns. Meanwhile, Nixon had more experience and had lots of responsibilities as VP, but was dour and more serious.
In order to make the debate happen, Congress suspended the equal time clause of the Federal Communications Act of 1934.
September’s Chicago debate is perhaps the most infamous. Nixon refused to wear makeup, seeing it as unmanly, after hearing Kennedy wouldn’t. The Kennedy campaign, however, has tricked him, as their candidate was wearing it. Nixon was also recovering from an infection, the flu and knee injury, and had also lost lots of weight. He wore a grey suit, whilst Kennedy’s dark one contrasted the makeup and received extensive debate coaching. The debate focused on domestic issues.
Popular history states that TV viewers said that Kennedy was the winner but radio listeners crowned Nixon, though that’s not necessarily true.
Three more debates happened.
The second debate in Washington D.C talked about both domestic and foreign issues, with a heated debate about Taiwanese-controlled islands.
The third saw Nixon appear from Los Angeles and Kennedy from New York City, and was on foreign policy, with the islands taking up most of the discussion.
The fourth debate, in New York City, focused on Cuba.
Kennedy won in an eye-wateringly tight election.
1976
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- 23rd September 1976 (moderator: Edwin Newman of NBC)
- San Francisco, California- 6th October 1976 (moderator: Pauline Frederick of NPR)
- Williamsburg, Virginia- 22nd October 1976 (moderator: Barbara Walters of ABC)
There was a sixteen year and three presidential election gap between the first debates and the next. It’s said that Johnson didn’t want to risk it in 1964, Nixon didn’t in 1968, and that he was so far ahead in 1972 that he didn’t think that it was worth it. The equal time clause may also have been a reason, but they managed to circumvent this in 1976 by having them sponsored by outside groups who could set the rules.
The second series of debates pitted President Gerald Ford against Governor Jimmy Carter. Ford was a genial and genuine man, but had lost popularity when he controversially pardoned the ruined Nixon. Carter had fought a 2% name recognition to become the Democratic nominee.
The first debate was in Philadelphia. Ford defended pardoning Nixon.
It was the San Francisco second debate, focusing on foreign policy, that is considered the most memorable. Ford controversially stated that ‘there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration.’ When asked to clarify, Ford continued ‘I don’t believe … that the Yugoslavians consider themselves dominated by the Soviet Union. I don’t believe that the Romanians consider themselves dominated by the Soviet Union. I don’t believe that the Poles consider themselves dominated by the Soviet Union. Each of these countries is independent, autonomous, it has its own territorial integrity, and the United States does not concede that those countries are under the domination of the Soviet Union.’ They very much did, and this was not helpful to the Ford campaign.
The third debate was in Williamsburg, Virginia. It covered a variety of topics.
Carter won the election, which was surprisingly close.
1980
- Baltimore, Maryland- 21st September 1980 (moderator: Bill Moyers of PBS)
- Cleveland, Ohio- 28th October 1980 (moderator: Howard K. Smith of NBC)
The 1980 election saw President Jimmy Carter go up against the former Governor, Ronald Reagan. Carter was another friendly man, and had presidential experience, but was not as robust on the debate stage. Meanwhile, Reagan hadn’t held the presidency, but his years as an actor and presenter had helped him practice for the debates.
The first debate was held in Baltimore. The Carter campaign protested the fact that third-party candidate John Anderson was permitted to attend, and thus the president did not come. As a result, the ratings were rather low, and Anderson was not invited back again.
The second debate was held in Cleveland, with Carter attending and Anderson not. Carter famously spoke of his daughter Amy: ‘I think to close out this discussion, it would be better to put into perspective what we’re talking about. I had a discussion with my daughter, Amy, the other day, before I came here, to ask her what the most important issue was. She said she thought nuclear weaponry — and the control of nuclear arms.’ Amy was thirteen. The comment was widely mocked. Even more notably, when Carter attacked Reagan on his position on Social Security, Reagan whipped back with a ‘there you go again.’ He also delivered his famous ‘are you better off than you were four years ago?’
Reagan won the election comfortably.
1984
- Louisville, Kentucky- 7th October 1984 (moderator: Barbara Walters of ABC)
- Kansas City, Missouri- 21st October 1984 (moderator: Edwin Newman)
1984 saw incumbent President Ronald Reagan face off against former Vice President Walter Mondale. Though an older candidate, Reagan was still recognised for his wit and oratory skills. Meanwhile, Mondale had been known as a powerful Vice President who was important to the administration.
The first debate happened in Louisville, and was entirely centred on domestic politics. It was not a good night for Reagan, who seemed old, tired and confused. Meanwhile, Mondale remained sharp and policy focused. Mondale rose in the polls. Reagan was asked if his age (he was seventeen years older than Mondale) would affect things, to which he replied ‘I’ll challenge him to an arm wrestle any time.’
The second debate was in Kansas City two weeks later, and was focused on foreign policy and security. It was here that Reagan was asked about his age, to which he famously replied ‘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.’ This retort even got a laugh out of Mondale, who said he knew he’d lost the race then.
Reagan won by a landslide, only losing Minnesota (by 3K votes) and D.C., which has never voted Republican.
1988
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina- 25th September 1988 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
- Los Angeles, California- 13th October 1988 (moderator: Bernard Shaw of CNN)
The 1988 election saw Vice President George H. W. Bush go up against Governor of Massachusetts Michael Dukakis. Bush was seen as friendly but stiff and proper. Meanwhile, Dukakis had the nickname ‘Ice Man.’ Neither would help in debates.
The first debate was in Winston-Salem, which saw no particular winner or memorable moments.
The second debate was in Los Angeles, hot off the heels of a vice presidential match-up that produced the iconic ‘Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.’ This debate’s opening question created a masterclass in how NOT to answer. Moderator Bernard Shaw controversially opened with ‘Governor, if Kitty Dukakis were raped and murdered, would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer?’ Without missing a beat, Dukakis replied ‘No, I don’t, Bernard. And I think you know that I’ve opposed the death penalty during all of my life. I don’t see any evidence that it’s a deterrent, and I think there are better and more effective ways to deal with violent crime. We’ve done so in my own state.’ Instead of becoming angry at the question or expressing horror at the idea of this happening to his wife, Dukakis was cold and clinical. Whilst this did not lose him the election, it certainly didn’t help.
Bush won the election by a very comfortable margin.
1992
- St. Louis, Missouri- 11th October 1992 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
- Richmond, Virginia- 15th October 1992 (moderator: Carole Simpson of ABC)
- East Lansing, Michigan- 19th October 1992 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
1992 saw President George H. W. Bush go up against Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. Bush was a steady hand, but stiff and formal. Meanwhile, Clinton would become known for his legendary charm. There was, however, a spanner in the works, and his name was Ross Perot. The billionaire businessman had funded a rescue of Americans stuck in Revolutionary Iran and had become a noted critic of the Bush administration. He ran a campaign as an Independent , and was invited to all three debates
The first debate was in St. Louis. There were major talking points, though Perot was declared the winner by those who had watched it.
The second debate was in Richmond. It was here that Bush made two fatal errors. The first was looking at his watch. To viewers, it made him look bored and detached. The second was his failure to answer a question by a young woman about how the national debt affected him. Bush was confused about how to answer. Meanwhile, Clinton walked up to the woman, looked her in the eye and asked how it had affected her. It was a smart move.
The third debate was in East Lansing. It was as uneventful as the first debate, and many also thought Perot had won.
Clinton won by a comfortable margin. Whilst Perot did not win any electoral votes, he won nearly twenty million votes and nearly nineteen percent of the vote.
1996
- Hartford, Connecticut- 6th October 1996 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
- San Diego, California- 16th October 1996 (Jim Lehrer of PBS)
1996 saw President Bill Clinton against Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole. Clinton was relatively young and charismatic, whilst Dole was a slightly eccentric war hero and former VP candidate under Ford twenty years previously.
The first debate was in Hartford, and revealed no major scandals or memorable moments.
The second debate was in San Diego, and was much the same.
Clinton won by a larger margin than in 1992.
2000
- Boston, Massachusetts- 3rd October 2000 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina- 11th October 2000 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
- St. Louis, Missouri- 17th October 2000 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
2000 saw Vice President Al Gore pitted against Texas Governor and 41’s son George W. Bush. Gore was seen as capable but incredibly stiff and boring. Meanwhile, Bush has a folksy persona, though was not quite as eloquent.
The first debate was in Boston, and saw no major issues.
The second debate was in Winston-Salem, and was similarly not noteworthy.
The third debate was in St. Louis, and produced a humorous moment that was humiliating for Gore. The 6’1 Gore walked right up to the 5’11.5 Bush as he talked in some kind of attempt to intimidate him. Bush, not even breaking his stride, merely nodded at Gore and continued his speech. This made the audience laugh.
Whilst Gore won the popular vote, Bush won the Electoral College after a Supreme Court decision regarding Florida recounts.
2004
- Coral Gables, Florida- 30th September 2004 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
- St. Louis, Missouri- 8th October 2004 (moderator: Charles Gibson of ABC)
- Tempe, Arizona- 13th October 2004 (moderator: Bob Schieffer of CBS)
The 2004 election saw President Bush go up against Senator John Kerry. Bush continued to be folksy, if seen as a little airheaded, whilst Kerry was more focused but much less affable.
Debate one was in Coral Gables, Florida, and focused exclusively in foreign policy. At one point, Kerry, who was criticising the Iraq War, said ‘when we went in, there were three countries: Great Britain, Australia and the United States. That’s not a grand coalition. We can do better.’ Bush shot back with ‘You forgot Poland.’ Viewers said that Kerry won the debate.
Debate two was in St. Louis, and discussed both foreign and domestic policy.
Debate three was in Tempe, and was focused solely on domestic policy.
Bush won the election relatively comfortably.
2008
- Oxford, Mississippi- 26th September 2008 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS)
- Nashville, Tennessee- 7th October 2008 (moderator: Tom Brokaw of NBC)
- Hempstead, New York- 15th October 2008 (moderator: Bob Schieffer of CBS)
2008 saw relative newcomer Senator Barack Obama face off against Vietnam POW and Senator John McCain. Obama was young, charismatic and eloquent, whilst McCain was older and more experienced, especially in foreign policy.
The first debate was in Oxford, Mississippi, and mainly covered foreign policy and security. The candidates’ age range was a focal point of the debate. Viewers said that Obama won.
The second debate was in Nashville. It was generally uneventful.
The third debate was in Hempstead, New York, and focused on domestic policy. A plumber named Joe Wurzelbacher, who had famously confronted Obama about his tax plans, was frequently mentioned.
Obama won the election with over half of the vote.
2012
- Denver, Colorado- 3rd October 2012 (moderator: Jim Lehrer of CBS)
- Hempstead, New York- 16th October 2012 (moderator: Candy Crowley of CNN)
- Boca Raton, Florida- 22nd October 2012 (moderator: Bob Schieffer of CBS)
2012 saw President Barack Obama and former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney face off against one another. Obama was considered charismatic and affable, whilst Romney was more serious and stiff.
The first debate was in Denver and focused on domestic issues. Obama was widely criticised for his performance.
The second debate was in Hempstead and was also on domestic issues.
The third debate was in Boca Raton, and was on foreign policy. Responding to a March comment in which Romney stated that the biggest geopolitical threat facing the USA was Russia, Obama mocked him ‘What’s the biggest geopolitical threat facing America?,’ you said ‘Russia.’ Not Al Qaeda; you said Russia- the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back, because the Cold War’s been over for 20 years.’ Ten years later, and he probably regretted that.
2016
- Hempstead, New York- 26th September 2012 (moderator: Lester Holt of NBC)
- St. Louis, Missouri- 9th October 2016 (moderators: Martha Raddatz of ABC and Anderson Cooper of CNN)
- Paradise, Nevada- 19th October 2016 (moderator: Chris Wallace of Fox)
2016 saw former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton go up against billionaire mogul Donald Trump. Clinton was known for her wealth of experience, but struggled with the press. Meanwhile, Trump lacked experience, but was a bombastic public speaker.
The first debate was in Hempstead. Whilst the two clashed hard on suitability among other things, there were no major moments.
The second debate was in St. Louis. It was another fiery debate in which both opponents argued about a number of topics. It also produced a hugely memorable moment. On the topic of the judiciary, Clinton said ‘It’s just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law of our country.’ Instantly, Trump replied with a quick ‘Because you’d be in jail.’
The third debate was in Paradise, Nevada, and covered a variety of topics. Viewers tended to say that Clinton won all three debates.
Though Clinton won the popular vote, Trump won the Electoral College, and thus the presidency at large.
2020
- Cleveland, Ohio- 29th September 2020 (moderator: Chris Wallace of Fox)
- Nashville, Tennessee- 22nd October 2020 (moderator: Kristen Walker of NBC)
2020 saw President Donald Trump against Vice President Joe Biden. Trump was the crowd-pleasing incumbent, whilst Biden was the softer elder statesman. The debates were done differently due to the ongoing pandemic at the time. We did not see a large, in-person audience, and members of each team were sat far apart.
The first debate was in Cleveland. In one contentious moment, Biden angrily asked Trump ‘Will you shut up, man?’ The debate was poorly received for its lack of structure.
The second debate was in Nashville, a previous one having been cancelled over pandemic concerns. It focused on domestic policy and national security.
Biden won the election by a comfortable margin.
2024
- Atlanta, Georgia- 27th June 2024 (moderators: Dana Bash and Jake Tapper of CNN)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- 10th September 2024 (moderators: Linsey Davis and David Muir of ABC)
The 2024 match-up was initially a 2020 rerun of Biden and Trump. This changed after Biden dropped out of the race on the 21st July, after which Kamala Harris became the presumptive, and then guaranteed, nominee.
The first debate was in Atlanta. Though Trump received criticism, it was nothing compared to how Biden was received. Viewers watched Biden appear confused and unsure, with Trump failing to understand him. At one point, Biden, who had already confused Ukraine‘s Zelenskyy and Russia’s Putin, said that Trump was his VP instead of Kamala Harris. Publications that would usually criticise Trump declared him the winner.
The second debate was in Philadelphia, with Trump going up against new nominee Kamala Harris. It was a particularly fractious debate, in which the candidates clashed over immigration and abortion in particular.
At the time of writing, Trump does not plan to debate Harris again, so it looks as though it won’t happen. A vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and J.D Vance is upcoming.
The Future of Debates
We will see debates in 2028 and 2032 and forevermore, it seems. Politics has become somewhat of a circus, and we want to see the clowns perform their tricks for us. For years, we never saw the candidates, but we can never even get away from them now. We can’t always predict how they will go of course, but we know they’ll be there.
There will be the usual debate subjects- immigration and the economy, but there will surely be new issues at hand. Could we have predicted that the 1980 debates would have discussed Americans being held hostage in a previously friendly nation? Could we have predicted that the 2004 debates would have discussed a war halfway across the world? Could we have predicted the 2020 debates would have discussed a pandemic that had spread across the world?
The question remains: do they work? I would say no- I think they’re a terrible way to decide a candidate, and I don’t like the fact we have them in the U.K. now. Others will disagree. Whatever the case, we’ll surely be watching them again in four years.