Iconic moments from US Presidential debate history: Kennedy vs Nixon to Bush vs Gore

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump will face off in their first debate on Tuesday (Wednesday morning, India time). This is the second time Trump will be taking part in a debate this US election cycle after his face-off with US President Joe Biden ultimately led to the latter’s exit from the 2024 presidential race.

Biden’s poor showing in that June 27 debate with Donald Trump led to questions being raised about his fitness and ability to run for President. Giving in to the pressure from within his own party, Joe Biden bowed out from the presidential race and instead backed his running mate and current US Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

These developments have caused the June 27 Biden vs Trump debate to quickly become labelled as one of the most significant ones in US election history. As we wait for Kamala Harris to take on Donald Trump, here’s a look at some of the other memorable moments in US presidential debate history.

John F Kennedy vs Richard Nixon (1960)

The first televised presidential debate between Democrat John F. Kennedy and Republican Richard Nixon is considered the most significant because it highlighted how important a candidate’s appearance could be during a campaign.

Kennedy, who wore makeup in the debate, looked young and vibrant, while Nixon, who did not wear makeup, looked tired during the debate.

People who watched the debate believed that Kennedy won the presidential debate. However, those who listened to the debate on the radio said that Nixon had performed better, according to TIME.

Kennedy secured a narrow election victory and was assassinated three years later.

Jimmy Carter vs Gerald Ford (1976)

In the 1976 presidential election, President Gerald Ford, who had succeeded Richard Nixon, was closing the gap on Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter. However, during their second debate, Ford made the controversial statement, “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration.” This surprised many, especially during the Cold War, according to The Guardian.

It’s not clear if the mistake changed the election outcome, which Carter won. However, historians believe the moment hurt Ford because the media, after the debate, portrayed him as clumsy and unfit for the presidency, according to TIME.

Jimmy Carter vs Ronald Reagan (1980)

Carter accused Republican Ronald Reagan of planning to cut Medicare for the elderly. Reagan, frustrated by Carter’s misrepresentations of his positions, responded with a chuckle, saying, “There you go again.”

The audience cheered, and the debate drew a record 80.6 million viewers at that time, according to The Guardian.

Reagan went on to win the election with his running mate, George HW Bush.

George HW Bush vs Bill Clinton vs Ross Perot (1992)

In the 1992 presidential election, President George HW Bush, facing Democrat Bill Clinton and businessman Ross Perot, made a notable mistake by checking his watch during the second debate. This moment, caught on camera as a voter asked about the national debt, made Bush appear disinterested and aloof.

Bush later confessed he was thinking, “Only 10 more minutes of this crap.”

Bill Clinton went on to win the election.

The debates also highlighted Ross Perot, the third-party candidate who achieved a remarkable 18.9 per cent of the vote, marking one of the most notable third-party runs in US history, according to TIME.

George W Bush vs Al Gore (2000)

In the 2000 election, which was eventually decided by the Supreme Court, the debates were crucial. Vice President Al Gore, who had more debate experience, was initially leading in the polls.

However, his aggressive style and behaviour, like loudly sighing and rolling his eyes during the debates, didn’t sit well with viewers.

In one debate, Gore even walked up close to Texas Governor George W Bush, seemingly to intimidate him, but Bush’s calm response and smirk won over the audience.

Bush went on to win the closely contested and contentious election.