10 best moments in US presidential debate history: From gaffes to insults

Most memorable moments in US presidential debate history: From barbs to blunders

When John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon faced off in 1960, 70 million Americans tuned in to watch the first-ever televised US presidential debate. The historic event ushered in a new era of politics, where the visual appeal of candidates and their ability to deliver memorable lines became crucial. As Joe Biden and Donald Trump prepare for their upcoming debates, let's revisit ten of the most unforgettable moments in presidential debate history.

1. The 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate: When appearance became crucial

The 1960 debate between Kennedy and Nixon marked a turning point in political history. Almost half of the American households with televisions tuned in, witnessing a striking contrast: Kennedy, poised and tan, versus Nixon, who appeared pale and gaunt from a recent hospital stay. Nixon's sweating and his tendency to look at reporters rather than the camera further hurt his image. In contrast, Kennedy's direct gaze into the camera and healthy appearance resonated with viewers. This televised performance is believed to have played a significant role in Kennedy's victory, with one commentator saying of Nixon, “My God, they’ve embalmed him before he even died.”

2. The 1980 Carter-Reagan debate: 'There you go again'

In their second debate of October 1980, President Jimmy Carter and Republican challenger Ronald Reagan faced off. By this stage in Carter's presidency, his approval rating had dramatically dropped to about 30%, a stark contrast to the 75% rating he enjoyed at the beginning of his term. Meanwhile, Reagan was gaining popularity, especially among Southern Democrats and evangelicals. During the debate, Carter aggressively criticized Reagan’s history of opposing Medicare. Despite the accuracy of Carter's point, it came across as lengthy and tedious. In response, Reagan delivered the memorable line, “There you go again,” with a chuckle, which effectively defused Carter’s attack. This quip became a defining moment of the 1980 presidential election and has since been used by many politicians, including Bill Clinton and Mike Pence, to downplay their opponents' arguments.

3. The 1984 Mondale-Reagan debate: ‘I won’t exploit my opponent’s youth’

During the 1984 campaign, Reagan, then 73 and the oldest President at the time, faced questions about his age in a debate against Walter Mondale. Reagan's witty retort, “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,” drew laughter, even from Mondale. This humorous comeback helped bolster Reagan's popularity, leading to his landslide victory.

4. The 1988 Quayle-Bentsen debate: ‘You’re no Jack Kennedy’

The 1988 vice presidential debate between Dan Quayle and Lloyd Bentsen is remembered for a sharp exchange. Quayle often compared his experience to John F Kennedy’s. When he did so again during the debate, Bentsen famously retorted, “Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.” This biting comment has since become a part of political lore.

5. Gore vs Bush in 2000: The ‘lockbox’ moment

In the 2000 debates, Vice President Al Gore, widely perceived as the more experienced candidate compared to Governor George W Bush, repeatedly emphasized the idea of a “lockbox” for Social Security and Medicare. However, Gore's frequent mentions of this concept, coupled with audible sighs and eye rolls, quickly became fodder for ridicule. "I think we need to put Medicare and Social Security in a lockbox," Gore reiterated during the debate, contrasting his stance with Governor Bush's. The phrase “lockbox” soon found itself parodied, notably on 'Saturday Night Live'.

6. Obama vs Clinton in 2008: A question of likeability

During a 2008 debate, a moderator's question about likeability led to a memorable exchange between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. "What can you say to the voters of New Hampshire on this stage tonight who see your resume and like it but are hesitating on the likability issue, where they seem to like Barack Obama more?" the moderator asked Clinton. "He’s very likable. I agree with that," Clinton responded. "I don’t think I’m that bad." Obama subsequently quipped, "You’re likable enough, Hillary."

7. Romney vs Obama in 2012: ‘Binders full of women’

Mitt Romney's most talked-about moment in the 2012 debates against President Obama came when he discussed his efforts to hire women during his tenure as Massachusetts governor. Romney mentioned receiving “binders full of women” from women’s groups. "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." The phrase quickly went viral and was widely mocked on social media.

8. The 2016 Clinton-Trump debate: ‘Such a nasty woman’

In the third 2016 debate, Donald Trump’s comment about Hillary Clinton, calling her “such a nasty woman", stood out. This occurred while Clinton discussed tax policies. “My Social Security payroll contribution will go up, as will Donald’s, assuming he can’t figure out how to get out of it,” Clinton said. “Such a nasty woman,” Trump interjected. The remark was seen as particularly egregious given Trump’s earlier claim that “nobody has more respect for women than I do.”

9. Trump vs Clinton in 2016: ‘Bad hombres’

Another notable moment from the 2016 debates was Trump's reference to “bad hombres” when discussing border security. He vowed to expel “drug lords” and other undocumented immigrants. "Once the border is secured, at a later date, we’ll make a determination as to the rest. But we have some bad hombres here, and we’re going to get them out,” he said. This phrase was subsequently criticized as racist, reflecting Trump's controversial rhetoric on immigration.

10. Biden vs Trump in 2020: ‘Will you shut up, man?’

When it comes to chaotic debates, the clash between Joe Biden and then-President Donald Trump stands out. During a discussion about the Supreme Court vacancy and the possibility of ending the filibuster, Trump persistently interrupted Biden. This led to both candidates talking over each other, while the moderator struggled to regain control of the debate. The constant interruptions culminated in Biden finally exclaiming, “Will you shut up, man?” USA Today reported.