From Ford on the Cold War to Reagan’s charm. Some of the greatest hits, show-downs, and flops from the last 50 years of presidential debates, courtesy of the Miller Center archives.
From the archives of the Miller Center, a historical institute at the University of Virginia, come seven memorable moments from the last 50 years of presidential debates.
1960 — Nixon v. JFK: "If you know the President, that was probably a facetious remark"
The debate between Vice President Richard Nixon and Sen. John F. Kennedy, held in Chicago on Sept. 26, 1960, was the first ever televised presidential debate — nearly 70 million Americans tuned in to watch. Here, moderator Howard Smith of CBS News quoted Nixon's boss — President Eisenhower — telling the press that he couldn't think of one instance in which he ever adopted one of Nixon's major ideas. "If you give me a week I might think of one," Eisenhower had said. Nixon stumbled. "If you know the President, that was probably a facetious remark," he managed.
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1976 — Ford v. Carter: "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe"
During the second debate between President Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter — then a former Georgia Governor — Ford botched a line about Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe," said Ford. The New York Times's Max Frankel had to pause to clarify — Ford's answer was at complete odds with the reality of the Cold War. "As a matter of fact, I visited Poland, Yugoslavia and Romania, to make certain," continued Ford. Jimmy Carter came out with the win that year.
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1980 — Reagan v. Carter: "There You Go Again"
When Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter faced off four years later, on Oct. 28, 1980, Carter challenged Reagan on his stance on Medicare. Reagan fired back with his now-famous line, "There you go again." The quip got laughs from the audience, and Reagan was able to dismiss Carter's serious, detailed attacks with one line and a smile. The debate, held at the Public Music Hall in Cleveland, was the second and last between Reagan and Carter.
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