Televised debates were held between the major candidates for President in 1960 and in every election since 1976. A panel of reporters acceptable to the candidates questions them, and they are given time to rebut their opponents' statements. Debates are also held between Vice Presidential candidates. Originally sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the television networks, Presidential debates are now organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates, a bipartisan group created by Congress.
Presidential debates attract huge television audiences: 107 million adults in 1960, 122 million in 1976, and more than 100 million in 1980 and 1984. Only 70 million people watched in 1988, reflecting a decline in enthusiasm for the candidates. But in 1992, thanks to interest in independent candidate Ross Perot, the three Presidential debates attracted more viewers than ever before; more than 130 million Americans watched one or more. This was the first debate in which both major-party candidates appeared at the same time as an independent third candidate. The debates gave Perot's campaign a major boost, especially among independent voters. Debates raise voter interest and provide information about the candidates and their response under pressure. In close contests many voters wait for the debates before deciding for whom to vote. This is especially true of independents, voters not registered as members of a political party, and those without strong feelings for their party. Those who watch debates tend to vote on the basis of the issues, whereas those who do not watch are more likely to vote on the basis of personality. The media not only report on the debates but also announce the “winner.” This verdict may also affect voter behavior as people jump on the “winner's” bandwagon.
Polls showed that in 1960 four million voters based their vote on the debates. Of these, John F. Kennedy won 72 percent, helping him into the White House. In 1980 Ronald Reagan gained ground with undecided voters and political independents, helping him defeat Jimmy Carter. In 1988 George Bush lost some of his lead after the first debate and neither gained nor lost any of his lead over Michael Dukakis after their second debate—a victory for Bush because Dukakis was trailing and needed to score a “knockout.”
After the 1960 debates between Kennedy and Richard Nixon, none were held in 1964, 1968, and 1972 because in each instance one of the candidates was clearly ahead and felt he had nothing to gain. In 1976 debates resumed: President Gerald Ford wanted to debate because he was behind in the polls and had nothing to lose, and Jimmy Carter wanted debates because his lead had begun to slip. By 1984 debates had become an institution, and a candidate could not avoid them without making his refusal an issue in its own right.
Candidates can use debates to overcome negative perceptions about them, as Kennedy did when his performance changed people's opinions about his youth. Candidates can defuse issues in debates, as Ronald Reagan did when he joked, “I will not make an issue of my opponent's youth and inexperience.” Debates can also torpedo a campaign, as when Walter Mondale announced in a 1984 debate against Reagan that if elected, he would raise taxes. In 1980 Ronald Reagan's performance against Jimmy Carter was aided by the fact that his campaign had obtained one of the “briefing books” that Carter used to prepare for the debates, so he knew what Carter would say and could prepare his rebuttals in advance.
See also Bush, George; Carter, Jimmy; Clinton, Bill; Ford, Gerald R.; Kennedy, John F.; Nixon, Richard M.; Reagan, Ronald
Sources
- Kathleen Jamieson and David Birdsell, Presidential Debates: The Challenge of Creating an Informed Electorate (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988).
- Austin Ranney, ed., The Past, Present and Future of Presidential Debates (Washington, D.C.: American Enterprise Institute, 1979)
