×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
20
Feb 2026
weather symbol
Athens 15°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

Dendias to meet with US congress delegation on Friday

Adonis Georgiadis on the incidents in Nikaia: “They would have killed me without the riot police

What the peoples are proud of: Greeks proud of history, Italians proud of culture and Turks proud of their patriotism

– 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

Storms are coming in Attica, what time will the heavy rains start according to Kolydas

February 20, 2026

Politico: Trump threatens Europe with retaliation if it does not buy US weapons

February 20, 2026

Iron Maiden and Metallica concerts boost the demand for “Airbnb” in Athens in May

February 20, 2026

Eleni Glykatzi – Arveler: Today the last farewell in the Metropolis of Athens (updated)

February 20, 2026

The “little Venice” of Greece with the stone arched bridges and the great maritime history

February 20, 2026

Brad Pitt relaxed and smiling in Hydra for his new movie – See videos and photos

February 20, 2026

Pagoni addresses Nikea Hospital incidents: condemns violence against medical staff as unacceptable

February 20, 2026

Moment a naval mine is neutralized at Naxos port – Watch video

February 19, 2026
All News

> Economy

Iron Maiden and Metallica concerts boost the demand for “Airbnb” in Athens in May

Iron Maiden and Metallica concerts boost Airbnb bookings in Athens up to 94% in May, confirming the momentum of major events in short-term rentals

February 20, 2026

Angeliki Frangou: A new global order is taking shape and reshaping shipping

February 19, 2026

AADE: New system launched with 2,000 accounts to monitor bank accounts, wallets, cards, and safe deposits – Those targeted

February 19, 2026

Clean Monday: When and how employees and pensioners will be paid ahead of the three-day weekend

February 19, 2026

The battle of LNG: How we came to the Motor Oil – DESFA rift over the FSRU in Corinth

February 19, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα