×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Monday
06
Apr 2026
weather symbol
Athens 19°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

US agreement with Congo on deportations of migrants from third countries

The Ukrainian army says it has regained control of areas on the southeastern and eastern fronts from Russia

Germany: Vial containing radioactive poison “polonium-210” found during Easter game

– 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

Watch Trump’s Press Conference on the war in Iran (live)

April 6, 2026

US agreement with Congo on deportations of migrants from third countries

April 6, 2026

The Ukrainian army says it has regained control of areas on the southeastern and eastern fronts from Russia

April 6, 2026

Iran: The head of the Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence service is dead

April 6, 2026

Greek gas exports quadrupled in the first quarter of the year, DESFA reports

April 6, 2026

The address, the favors, the hostage situation, the Mimis doctrine: “Go to court,” the shouts and whispers of the blue parliamentary group, Alpha Trust was sold

April 6, 2026

Germany: Vial containing radioactive poison “polonium-210” found during Easter game

April 6, 2026

Agreement signed for PULS rocket launchers, part of the “Achilles’ Shield” defense network

April 6, 2026
All News

> Greece

Watch video: The dog traveled 1 km and led the man to rescue her puppy that had fallen into a water tank

In the reservoir the man spotted a puppy struggling not to drown

April 6, 2026

Michaelidou: After Easter, the “renovate-rent” with subsidies up to €36,000 and the “Neighbourhood Nannies”

April 6, 2026

The Greek island that is the first choice for authentic and carefree holidays in Europe, according to international media

April 6, 2026

Greek Patriot shot down a drone in Saudi Arabia

April 6, 2026

Spring weather sets the tone for Holy Week, with changes expected toward Easter

April 6, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα