×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Sunday
12
Apr 2026
weather symbol
Athens 18°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

From Kennedy-Nixon to Trump-Biden: 60 years of US presidential debates

A bit of history

Newsroom September 29 05:33

Republican President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden face off on Tuesday in a televised presidential debate, part of a 60-year-old tradition marked by some of the most memorable moments of modern U.S. political history:

– 1960: The first televised debate pitted Democratic nominee John F. Kennedy against Republican Vice President Richard Nixon, who was recovering from a hospital visit and had a 5 o’clock shadow, having refused makeup. The 70 million viewers focused on what they saw, not what they heard. Kennedy won the election.

– 1976: In the first TV debate in 16 years, Democrat Jimmy Carter faced unelected incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford. In remarks seen as a major blunder, Ford said: “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration.” Carter won the election.

– 1980: Carter appeared in a second debate with Republican Ronald Reagan after boycotting the first for including third-party candidate John Anderson. The president accused Reagan of planning to cut Medicare healthcare funding for the elderly. Reagan, who already had complained that Carter was misrepresenting his stands on a number of issues, said: “There you go again” and chuckled, drawing audience laughter and coining a catchphrase. Reagan won the election.

See Also:

Australia says world needs to know origins of COVID-19

The weirdly nihilistic reason why Outer Space is so cold

>Related articles

Analysis: The Strait of Hormuz, a ceasefire hanging by a thread, and what Trump and Iran want – “Shipwreck” in the negotiations in Islamabad

Fierce clash between Netanyahu and Erdogan over the US–Iran ceasefire

Elections today in Hungary: End of Orban’s long rule or a fifth term?

– 1984: Reagan, 73, successfully defused the issue of his age when he debated Democrat Walter Mondale, 56, quipping: “I want you to know that also 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.” Reagan was re-elected.

– 1988: A debate against Republican Vice President George H.W. Bush opened with Democrat Michael Dukakis being asked whether he would favor the death penalty for someone who raped and murdered his wife. The question offered a candidate dubbed “the iceman” by critics a chance to show his emotional side. His laborious response did just the opposite. Bush won the election.

Read more: Reuters

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#debates#elections#history#politics#usa#world
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Analysis: The Strait of Hormuz, a ceasefire hanging by a thread, and what Trump and Iran want – “Shipwreck” in the negotiations in Islamabad

April 12, 2026

Fierce clash between Netanyahu and Erdogan over the US–Iran ceasefire

April 12, 2026

Elections today in Hungary: End of Orban’s long rule or a fifth term?

April 12, 2026

Magical scenes in Vrontados, Chios, as the rocket war amazed locals and tourists (video-photos)

April 12, 2026

Piraeus: Firecracker thrown at a bus by individuals riding an e-scooter – Α 15-year-old was arrested

April 12, 2026

US–Iran talks fail: “We made clear what our red lines are,” Vance says departing Islamabad

April 12, 2026

“Christ is Risen” celebrated with splendor across the country: Ieronymos’ message of hope and peace

April 12, 2026

The Holy Light has arrived at the Metochion of the Holy Sepulchre in Plaka, and from there it is being distributed throughout Greece

April 11, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα