As we come down the homestretch of the 2012 Presidential Election, we reach the final major milestone on Wednesday night with the first of the three Presidential debates.
If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that I try to steer clear of partisan politics and I will continue to do so in this writing. But, in terms of the mechanics – the framework – of how we elect Presidents, I find the whole thing to be fascinating. That is true whether you lean left, right, or come right down the center.
So, my one political statement of the year is this: Watch the debates. Participate in the process. Be engaged in the discussion. If you’re on the fence, history tells us that you’ll probably see or learn something along the way that will help you make your final decision.
That was certainly the case in the super close 1960 election. During that election, the new medium of television found a series of Presidential debates to be perfect material for a voracious viewing audience. The Kennedy-Nixon debates were generally regarded as the gold standards we use to judge modern encounters between Presidential candidates.
Four television encounters helped decide a very close race. The tanned, rested and confident Kennedy bested the tired and pale Nixon during the first and interesting encounter. Those debates, and that historic election, are featured in exhibits at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston.
The U.S. didn’t have another cycle of Presidential debates until 1976. That time it was a misstep by then-President Ford that seemed to tip the scales in a close election. His statement that the communist nations of Eastern Europe were not dominated by the Soviet Union was seen to show a lack of mastery of the subtleties of foreign policy. Jimmy Carter won a close election that fall. Who knows how many swing voters were swayed by the debate?
There is no doubt voters were swayed four years later when Ronald Reagan, speaking of the Carter Presidency, asked the now iconic question: “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”
Reagan was able to use humor in the debates, four years later, to put the issue of age to rest. He disarms the issue with his quip about the youth and inexperience of his opponent, Walter Mondale.
During the ultra-close election of 2000, then-Vice President Al Gore was thought to be able to win debates with a stern tone and his physical presence. But when he strayed too far into then-Gov. George W. Bush’s personal space – to try to bully him – Bush just looked at him with a wry grin and a nod and then continued on with his point.
That moment seemed to deflate Gore’s ability to tower over an opponent and is often the clip you see when those debates are remembered…that moment…and also the infamous debate sigh.
What will the memorable moment from the 2012 debate? A flub? A quip? A head-nod? Or an iconic quote we’ll remember 30 years from now?
However it unfolds, I encourage you to tune in and find out. Here is a list of this year’s Presidential debates, the topics and dates:
Oct 3 • First Presidential Debate • Domestic policy
Oct 11 • Vice Presidential Debate • Foreign and domestic topics
Oct 16 • Second Presidential Debate • Town Meeting Format
Oct 22 • Third Presidential Debate • Foreign policy
JG
(Source: Yahoo!)
Originally posted 9/1/2012
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