American presidential debate
American presidential debates are a regular feature in recent U.S. presidential elections, especially since the rise of television in the 1960s.
Senator John F. Kennedy debates Vice President Richard M. Nixon in the first televised debates, 1960
Presidential debates are held late in the election cycle, after both parties have nominated their candidates. The candidates meet in a large hall, often a university, before a large audience of Americans. They then proceed to debate, answering questions from journalist moderators and in some cases members of the audience. Debates are often televised and broadcast live on the radio.
Usually only the two main party candidates are included, but in 1980 and 1992 a third-party candidate was also included. Officially, a candidate must be polling over 10% in public support to be included in the debate.
There have been eight series of presidential debates since 1960.
- U.S. presidential election, 1960- 4 debates between Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy
- U.S. presidential election, 1976- 3 debates between President Gerald Ford and Governor Jimmy Carter
- U.S. presidential election, 1980- 1 debate between President Jimmy Carter and Governor Ronald Reagan, 1 debate between Governor Reagan and Congressman John Anderson
- U.S. presidential election, 1984- 2 debates between President Ronald Reagan and former Vice President Walter Mondale
- U.S. presidential election, 1988- 2 debates between Vice President George H. W. Bush and Governor Michael Dukakis
- U.S. presidential election, 1992- 3 debates between President George H. W. Bush, Governor Bill Clinton, and Ross Perot
- U.S. presidential election, 1996- 2 debates between President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole
- U.S. presidential election, 2000- 3 debates between Vice President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush