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The Most Important Presidential Debates in American History, According to Historians
Carter vs. Ford
The most important lesson that one can learn from this debate refers to the fact that you should pay extra attention when making statements during a public debate. The consequences can be quite disturbing, even after some good years.
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The presidential debates
Presidential debates in USA, and not only, are a really big deal. During these, candidates have not only the possibility to show to the entire country what they are capable of, but this is also their chance to win over the adversary. However, when not used properly, debates can also turn into candidates' biggest nightmare, as they can be used as later evidence for what was inappropriately said.
Kennedy vs. Nixon
Having been the first nationally televised presidential debate in history, this event is still seen as a memory worth remembering. Furthermore, what made it even more extraordinary was the fact that both political figures who participated in the debate would later become Presidents. An important take-away refers to the fact that, especially during a public event, one should take care of how she or he looks like.
Carter vs. Ford
The most important lesson that one can learn from this debate refers to the fact that you should pay extra attention when making statements during a public debate. The consequences can be quite disturbing, even after some good years.
Carter vs. Reagen
If during the debate with Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter proved to be more well-informed, the things did not go so well for him during the debate with Ronald Reagan. Reagan taught everybody a great lesson by means of how he talked and behaved throughout the debate: in order to win the elections, you should first make sure to win the public over. And using your charm will surely do the job.
Bush vs. Clinton vs. Perot
Throughout a political debate, it is equally important to use your charm as it is to present trustworthy information, in order to win the public over. Moreover, if there are three candidates instead of two, this will most probably lead to a more challenging discussion and, therefore, more interesting results.
Bush vs. Al Gore
Debates are sometimes won over by those who know how to get close to the public, rather than those who know everything. Therefore, even if Al Gore was a highly intellectual, he did lose the elections, as people had grown tired of his lecturers.
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Debates have a major impact
There’s a reason why we place such importance on debates: They show us things about candidates that other venues do not, but they may also overwhelm everything else we know about the candidate.
1960 — Kennedy v. Nixon
The first televised presidential debate in U.S. history may be the most consequential.
Political mythology holds that Americans who listened to the debate on the radio thought Nixon was better, while those who watched it on television thought Kennedy was better.
1976 — Carter v. Ford
A moment that may have impacted the final result was when Ford stumbled over a question during their second debate regarding Poland, which he insisted was not under "Soviet domination." It was, and Ford had to retract his statement, contributing to the view that he was in over his head.
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1800: Jefferson and Adams
The outcome was so bizarre, the United States had to amend the Constitution.
- The election of 1800 saw Thomas Jefferson tie with his Democratic-Republican "running mate" Aaron Burr. Both...
1824: 'Corrupt bargain'
- Andrew Jackson won the popular vote by less than 39,000 ballots and took 99 Electoral College votes. John Quincy Adams secured 84, William Crawford won 41, and Henry Clay had 37.
- Clay, with the least votes, got the boot, and his supporters shifted their support to Adams, who would go on to win the majority of the House vote.
After his inauguration, Adams selected Clay as his secretary of state. Jackson accused Adams and Clay of a "corrupt bargain."
1860: Nation divided
The 1860 election was notable because it ripped the long-dominant Party (and nation) in half.
- The Democrats were unable at their 1860 convention to establish an official party line on slavery.
- At a second convention that year, the Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas, but many Southerners in the party selected Breckinridge as their man. Both would claim to be the official Democratic candidate.
- Lincoln snared 40% of the popular vote but took most of the North in the Electoral College.
- Douglas was second in the popular vote but took only Missouri.
- Breckenridge took most of the South.
- Bell's middle of the road policies earned him the middle of the road.
In 1861, delegates from South Carolina, and six of the Southern states formed the Confederate States of America and selected Jefferson Davis as their president.
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The first televised debate
The first televised debate from 1960 between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon helped Kennedy become more popular, only because of his good looks, while Nixon, just recovered from a recent hospital...
The influence of TV on politics
Ever since the first televised debate between Kennedy and Nixon, back in 1960, television has been playing an essential role in influencing people's political choices. After sixteen years of break, starting with 1976, televised debates have become standard practice in politics.
What is maybe the most interesting about how television influenced politics is the fact that individuals, as well as parties, are now taking into account additional factors when judging the candidates, such as looks and the ability to debate.