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PSC 311 and PSC 305 Outlines:
PBS video, Debating Our Destiny:
40 years of Presidential Debate
by Jeremy Lewis.

Jim Lehrer; Video, PBS, 2000; 1 (800) PlayPBS
[First 60 minutes – Stock Policy Speeches; then 20 minutes – Gaffes and Flubs that tend to dominate media coverage.]

Possible Debate Effect -

The debates:
    1960 JFK v RMN – TV and radio; important visuals versus voice
    1976 GRF v JEC – gaffes: GRF East Europe; JEC Playboy interview
VP – Dole v Mondale – Dole gaffes: Dem Wars, bunny vote, pardon
    1980 (JEC) RWR v Anderson – 2 way

    1980 Carter v Reagan: ‘Asking Amy’ about nuclear disarmament.

    1984 Mondale v Reagan: Mondale on deficit – First Debate

      There you go again backfired; Mondale had comeback.
      RWR - Meandered – he claims he was over-trained.
      Second Debate – RWR did better on foreign policy and defense.
    1984 Vice Presidential: Bush – Did one (1) presidential debate and five (5) vice-presidential debates.
    Felt contrived and artificial. Worried about his language.
    Ferraro – Only three times in HR, so political risk.
    She felt she was standing in for American women – major responsibility.
    Tried to establish serious on foreign policy. "Don’t patronize me".
    1988 Bush v Dukakis
      Dukakis – Felt did better on first than second debate.
      But gave short answer to Bernie Shaw's death penalty/wife’s rapist question.
      ‘Passion-less’ question hurt Dukakis
      Bush was more joking, relaxed.
    1988 VP Quayle v Bentsen
      Quayle – Prepared excessively, wooden – but used liberal word.
      Bentsen – Senator: You’re no Jack Kennedy.
    1992 Bush v Clinton
      Bush - Again reluctant, especially with Perot.
      Polls showed Perot will received.
      Clinton - Surprised. Thought he had done well.
      Town Meeting – Bush looked at watch.
1992 VP Gore, Quayle and Stockdale Gore – Praised Stockdale and put down Quayle.
Stockdale – Unprepared – Only notified days before. Perot forgot to tell him and they never conversed about politics.
    1996 Dole v Clinton
      Dole – Learned in ’76 to know briefing material.
      Clinton – Was ready for personal questions, but Dole declined.
      Clinton ran on strong record and was ahead in the polls.
      Dole at 73 worried about age question.
    1996 VP - Kemp v Gore
      Kemp – Missed chance to criticize Gore/Clinton. Even missed a soft question on ethics.
      Clinton – Debates may not change votes, but force candidates to consider what they’ll defend.