Debates Bring Out The Best And The Worst In Candidates

By Bruce Morton/CNN

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Oct. 6) -- Bob Dole is relying on Sunday's debate to turn the campaign around, and he's not the first presidential candidate to do so. In the 36-year-history of televised debates, candidates have put in stellar performances -- and committed glaring blunders. (363K QuickTime movie)

In 1960, may voters harbored doubts about John F. Kennedy: too young, too immature, too untested. But in his debate with Richard Nixon, Kennedy stressed his experience and Congress and appeared very self-assured.

In 1980, many voters were frightened of Ronald Reagan for opposite reasons: too old, too extreme. But in his debate with Jimmy Carter, Reagan used all his skills as an actor to reassure voters that he was not dangerous.

And in 1992, Ross Perot -- asked about his lack of government experience -- skillfully turned that flaw into a virtue by quipping that he had no "experience in running up a $4 trillion debt."

Candidates can use debates to answer charges -- and put them to rest -- as Reagan did in 1984 when he turned aside question about his age and mental ability.

"I will not make age an issue in this campaign," he said. "I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."

And Bill Clinton did the same in 1992, responding to George Bush's criticism of his participation in anti-Vietnam War demonstrations outside the United States. After citing Bush's father's opposition to Sen. Joe McCarthy during the ant-communist "witch hunts" of the 1950s, Clinton addressed his Republican opponent directly on the issue.

"You were wrong to attack my patriotism," Clinton told his opponent. "I was opposed to the war, but I love my country."

Candidates rehearse their moves

Sometimes, a candidate can create effect with a physical gesture. Walter Mondale's "body pivot" toward his opponent was later revealed to be carefully rehearsed and aimed at throwing President Reagan on the defensive.

And in another calculated gesture, this one in 1992, Bill Clinton walked across the stage to his questioner to create the impression he was talking to each viewer personally -- the "I feel your pain" approach.

But in that same debate, another physical gesture helped undo President Bush. Clearly uncomfortable in the more informal format of that debate, Bush stole a telling glance at his watch.

And in 1960, Richard Nixon's decision not to wear makeup in the first debate gave him a tense, haggard image next to the fresh and vibrant Kennedy.

The risk factors

The biggest risks of such unscripted debate come mainly if they confirm a voter's suspicions that a candidate is out of touch, as President Bush did in 1992 when he didn't understand a question about the national debt.

A similar problem helped doom Michael Dukakis in 1988, when he coldly answered a question about a hypothetical rape and murder of his wife by reiterating his opposition to the death penalty.

Such debate gaffes can intensify existing doubts about a candidate -- as did Gerald Ford's 1976 insistence that "there is not Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration."

Both Dole and Clinton are likely to have boned up on the great moves and wildest gaffes of past debates before Sunday's debate. What remains to be seen is what new debate highlights the 1996 candidates will bring.

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