8 Best Presidential Debates in US History

29 June, 2024 Credit: Unsplash

Kennedy Vs Nixon (1960)

[{"selector":"#anim-0d7896db-7f94-4a97-a7f4-ced8abddba76","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26cefb12-675d-4b53-95d8-3705ec676169","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 200.21165%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a180dd4a-f27b-4510-9b19-386ebb99163b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0872ec3b-4c50-4dd6-9682-1037d38e941b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 461.48246%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11463cfe-05d9-4039-bc67-2a1ebef6c0f2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f42d6bb-f6c1-4a40-91df-db943765df33","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 816.84609%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-308acd1f-a78e-4419-a107-e6a7498cb2fd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58e69115-8a1b-4e83-8cb8-751eb0396679","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The first televised debate highlighted Kennedy's calm demeanor versus Nixon's nervousness, demonstrating the power of TV in politics​ Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Reagan Vs Carter (1980)

[{"selector":"#anim-d10af98b-89df-4f9f-8278-9a39aa667fdc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-32833900-3e73-48e0-bfcc-a737178a1869","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 226.38896%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4991275-d92b-4703-9d6c-f74c86fb8d80","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c7de5804-def1-44d0-b5f6-63773d97fe78","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 501.48238%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ab30fe1f-5237-4506-9a73-f8267ffbaf56","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c8100ebe-c033-43e8-838c-74d67059239e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 816.84609%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8057212e-0da3-4f81-abd0-b126e6247153","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4f03d6e3-6daa-4bb8-914d-a51858b0d2fb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Reagan's "There you go again" line and his charismatic performance contributed to his landslide victory​ Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Clinton vs Bush vs Perot (1992)

[{"selector":"#anim-3fb2ef49-f93c-44f0-a158-c9f17a3c80b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21b90bd9-7880-4d51-8127-73492012baf3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.59258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85756786-5d05-4730-aab9-87375b89fb50","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a85c275b-7f00-4203-bdb4-8ef59ab8adb0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 308.14855%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51469ebf-12cf-4b4d-9c3e-a02b69a583c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ea69a9fb-5d96-4b5e-bf43-e2f8e505591d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 415.11841%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8728c267-7720-4e60-b67e-fa30f95c559c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5c6f6538-72ed-42ee-ac88-e6b74113fb28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This three-way debate showcased Clinton's empathy and Perot's plain-speaking style, contrasting with Bush's struggle to connect with voters Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Obama Vs McCain (2008)

[{"selector":"#anim-c8074a92-abe3-48bd-833a-d00bba5d9f2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb629c56-cbbe-4a6d-a77f-57893fdc46a6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 228.83603%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee2a17ca-aeed-4d75-9446-c8c8fa5e122d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8da926df-ff9a-4282-bf48-1985bd10c486","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 514.81596%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-12a4b6b5-82db-4f3f-a816-8b0e2c828522","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9940cf48-3fdb-4905-9df8-06f27d07d949","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 768.45907%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7ff7dcf-9e3c-4f70-9023-86cd38f7a994","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52d8f22b-f3e9-466a-8138-28c3f2d4b174","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Noted for their civility and focus on policy, these debates helped solidify Obama's image as a capable leader​ Credit: Getty Images

Biden Vs Palin (2008 VP Debate)

[{"selector":"#anim-d249b6cb-f287-4623-8d5f-5e91957e8a98","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13e7f61b-7c59-42da-bc0a-addf229b4416","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 208.59793%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e448edd-41e5-4cd0-a665-1c8116100bba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e5589db-57bd-4962-ae79-a59b6860d355","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 428.14913%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-912f88c8-1c6e-460a-9a96-1f43abea21bd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f54b1de1-b46f-4d07-a170-4b3424fe63bb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 415.11841%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af91bbe1-13c8-43f8-b285-67e1cae8392b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-488342ae-ec15-4295-8db8-20425bb91d99","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Highlighted by Palin's folksy charm and Biden's emotional moments, this debate was highly anticipated​ Credit: Getty Images

Trump Vs Clinton (2016)

[{"selector":"#anim-fbeff569-6a85-4fce-9445-139716d7a21e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5514b32d-0eb5-4f52-b560-1c1df2fae9ef","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 237.16940%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5861abb5-23e5-4656-b900-634c06bc6d3d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c8ed394f-c88b-4b8e-a833-7463bbb3e26e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 501.48238%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d084ad17-6a6e-4241-9a7c-d74648365da9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1fc6cf1-de80-4ebe-9fc9-efcfb96ff034","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 813.62032%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d30474b-4ce6-4d56-9668-f2515fc4513f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-468a29f6-064d-471b-a074-05d0aa408b75","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] These debates were marked by sharp exchanges and memorable quotes, reflecting the polarized nature of the election​ Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Biden Vs Trump (2020)

[{"selector":"#anim-c42684c6-e887-4cff-a6a8-dd69b793ffa9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c4239061-fa8b-4565-88b5-a384fecffe9c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 176.30287%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb4dbd71-a0f1-4f2a-b311-5a0fe29adcb9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fed236ab-8ac6-4ee0-bdc5-d30a2592c6ad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 554.81588%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db42ecc5-2166-4657-bcd0-11cc60d00441","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf8a9c6b-fb63-4080-96fe-44b9aac3be61","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 800.71708%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01a4d44a-c766-46fd-a405-11934fa61f50","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-050c4289-3628-4dc9-bde3-e2f563f499b5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Characterised by interruptions and heated exchanges, the 2020 debates led to new rules for subsequent meetings Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Biden Vs Trump (2024)

[{"selector":"#anim-346dabd5-dfc8-46e7-b1df-00659e2074e4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-71b3824e-4c13-4209-9867-03693c275ffc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 235.97886%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e41600ed-c928-4a91-8fd8-819fa59d6474","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ab0e34c-03fa-4ae5-b192-b747ebf06c22","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 514.81596%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a169dfe3-c1d9-4d60-b877-739c6833d307","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e06d3e7d-1022-4097-b8fd-ce0809fe001f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 800.71708%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a914c27-b4d7-4504-ba19-a5dbe4c66fb6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22b6026a-9fe8-44bc-aca3-e0c4849ebf0b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The recent June 2024 debate continued their intense rivalry, focusing on key issues like the economy and border security​ Credit: AP

Related Stories Drinks to Combat Dehydration World's Weirdest Diets: From Ice Cubes to Air Tricks to Remove Stubborn Turmeric Stain Breast Health Essentials: Spot & Stop Cancer Early