Although debates may seem like an essential feature of U.S. presidential campaigns, they are in fact a relatively recent phenomenon. The first debate between presidential candidates occurred on May 17, 1948, when Republican contenders Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen matched wits. The debate aired on a Portland, Oregon, radio station and was restricted to a single topic: Should the Communist Party be outlawed in the U.S.?
Nowadays, debates are broadcast on television and the Internet to national (and international) audiences, and they usually cover a range of issues. They are also a reliable source of quips, gaffes, and lofty remarks that linger in the American consciousness long after the campaigns are over. Here, then, are some of the most-memorable lines from presidential (and vice presidential) debates over the past few decades.
“We can no longer afford to be second best. I want people all over the world to look to the United States again, to feel that we're on the move, to feel that our high noon is in the future.”
(John F. Kennedy, 1960)
The 1960 presidential debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy was the first general-election debate—and the first one to be televised. Kennedy’s confident optimism about the country’s future struck a chord with viewers, and his youthful camera-ready look (especially in contrast to Nixon’s haggard appearance) has been credited as instrumental to his election-day victory.“There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration.”
(Gerald Ford, 1976)
Gerald Ford, who was president at the time, made this blundering statement in a 1976 debate against Jimmy Carter. Although Ford meant that the United States would not officially recognize the Soviet Union’s influence over its neighbors, it sounded as though he did not understand the geopolitical realities of the Iron Curtain.“There you go again.”
(Ronald Reagan, 1980)
The only debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan during the 1980 presidential campaign produced two memorable lines, both from Reagan. One was, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” The other was this off-the-cuff reaction to Carter’s remarks on health care, which, as Reagan explained later, “felt kind of repetitious” to him. Delivered amiably, the line exemplified the folksy charm that helped win Reagan the White House.“When I hear your new ideas, I’m reminded of that ad: ‘Where’s the beef?’ ”
(Walter Mondale, 1984)
Carter’s vice president, Walter Mondale, was challenged for the 1984 Democratic nomination by Sen. Gary Hart, who promoted himself as “the candidate with new ideas.” Mondale’s retort to Hart, in a debate with other Democratic candidates during the primary season, quoted a popular TV commercial for the Wendy’s fast-food chain, to the noticeable amusement of the live audience.“I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”
(Ronald Reagan, 1984)
In 1984 the 73-year-old Reagan was the oldest person ever to be president, which raised concerns about his fitness for the office. During a debate with Walter Mondale, the Democratic nominee, he deflated the anxiety with a joke. Even Mondale—the 56-year-old former senator and vice president—had to laugh.“I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”
(Lloyd Bentsen, 1988)
The 1988 vice presidential debate pitted the Democrat Lloyd Bentsen, a military veteran who had entered Congress in 1948, against the Republican Dan Quayle, a 40-year-old freshman senator. When Quayle remarked that he had as much political experience as John F. Kennedy did when he ran for president, Bentsen seized the opportunity to score a rhetorical victory.“Who am I? Why am I here? I'm not a politician.”
(James Stockdale, 1992)
With businessman Ross Perot capturing attention as an independent candidate in the 1992 election, his running mate, retired Navy admiral James Stockdale, won a seat at the vice presidential debate. Unfortunately, Stockdale’s self-deprecating attempt to address the public’s unfamiliarity with him only reinforced the impression that he didn’t belong on the stage.“I’d like to start by offering you a deal, Jack. If you won't use any football stories, I won't tell any of my warm and humorous stories about chlorofluorocarbon abatement.”
(Al Gore, 1996)
In the 1996 vice presidential debate, sitting veep Al Gore faced Jack Kemp, a handsome former congressman who had gone into politics after a career as a pro-football quarterback. Gore’s line poked fun at his own less-glamorous reputation as a wonkish environmental-policy advocate. Kemp’s response: “It’s a deal. I can’t even pronounce it.”“Well, actually, he forgot Poland.”
(George W. Bush, 2004)
The Iraq War dominated the 2004 presidential campaign. In his first debate with Pres. George W. Bush, Democratic nominee John Kerry claimed there was insufficient international support for the war. “When we went in,” he said, “there were three countries: Great Britain, Australia, and the United States.” Bush quickly pounced on Kerry’s failure to name Poland, also a member of the coalition, but it struck many viewers as a feeble volley.“You’re likable enough, Hillary.”
(Barack Obama, 2008)
The 2008 contest for the Democratic nomination was a neck-and-neck race between Hillary Clinton, the early front-runner, and Obama, the charismatic upstart. Addressing what a debate moderator called “the likability issue,” Clinton acknowledged that Obama was “very likable” but said she didn’t think she was “that bad.” Obama’s interjection, which he later said was meant to be supportive, was widely interpreted as aloof and condescending.“I had the chance to pull together a cabinet, and all the applicants seemed to be men.…I went to a number of women's groups and said, 'Can you help us find folks?' and they brought us whole binders full of women."
(Mitt Romney, 2012)
In a 2012 debate with Pres. Barack Obama, Republican nominee Mitt Romney was asked to address the issue of pay equity for women. The anecdote he shared, intended to demonstrate his commitment to equal rights, instead made him seem out of touch, and his infelicitous wording (“binders full of women”) was ridiculed in the media.