1980 United States presidential debates

Last updated
1980 United States presidential debates
Flag of the United States.svg
←  1976 September 21, 1980
October 28, 1980		 1984  →
  Carter cropped.jpg Official Portrait of President Reagan 1981-cropped.jpg John B. Anderson in New Jersey (cropped).jpg
Nominee Jimmy Carter
(October 28)		 Ronald Reagan John B. Anderson
(September 21)
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Home state Georgia California Illinois
1980 United States vice presidential debate
October 2, 1980 (canceled)
  Walter Mondale 1977 vice presidential portrait.jpg George H. W. Bush vice presidential portrait.jpg Patrick Lucey.png
Nominee Walter Mondale George H. W. Bush Patrick Lucey
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Home state Minnesota Texas Wisconsin

The 1980 United States presidential debates were a series of debates held during the 1980 presidential election.

Contents

The League of Women Voters sponsored two presidential debates: the first on September 21, and the second on October 28. The second presidential debate is the second most-watched debate in American history. Republican nominee Ronald Reagan participated in both debates. Independent candidate John B. Anderson only participated in the first presidential debate, while Democratic nominee Jimmy Carter only participated in the second presidential debate.

No vice presidential debate was held in 1980. Anderson's running mate Patrick Lucey was the only one who agreed to participate, while Carter's running mate Walter Mondale and Reagan's running mate George H. W. Bush both refused.

League of Women Voters-sponsored debates

Negotiations

The tentative schedule for the debates, reported in August 1980, was as follows: [1]

The 1980 election featured a major third-party candidate, John B. Anderson. The League of Women Voters allowed for Anderson to participate in the debate if he polled above 15%. [2]

The Carter campaign, believing that a three-way debate between Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Anderson, would boost Anderson's campaign, tried to push for an earlier debate only featuring Carter and Reagan. [2] This plan was supported by the chairs of the Democratic and Republican National Committee. [3] The two-person debate did not materialize, and Carter declined to debate alongside Anderson. [4]

The vice presidential debate was canceled on September 29, days before it was scheduled to be held. George H. W. Bush and Walter Mondale refused to attend, leaving only Anderson's running mate Patrick Lucey accepting the invitation. [5]

Debate schedule

1980 United States presidential election debates
 No.Date and timeHostLocationModeratorParticipants
Key:
 P  Participant  N  Non-invitee   A  Absent invitee 		 Democratic Republican Independent
President
Jimmy Carter
of Georgia 		Governor
Ronald Reagan
of California 		Congressman
John B. Anderson
of Illinois
1  Sunday, September 21, 1980

10:00 – 11:00 p.m. EDT [6]

Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, Maryland Bill Moyers of PBS APP
2  Tuesday, October 28, 1980

9:30 – 11:00 p.m. EST [6]

Music Hall Cleveland, Ohio Howard K. Smith of ABC PPN
1980 United States vice presidential debate
 No.Date and timeHostLocationModeratorParticipants
Democratic Republican Independent
Vice President
Walter Mondale
of Minnesota 		Director
George H. W. Bush
of Texas 		Ambassador
Patrick Lucey
of Wisconsin

VP
  		Thursday, October 2, 1980 [7] Commonwealth Convention Center Louisville, Kentucky Canceled

September 21: First presidential debate (Baltimore Convention Center)

First presidential debate
Date(s)September 21, 1980 (1980-09-21)
Duration60 minutes
Venue Baltimore Convention Center
Location Baltimore, Maryland
Participants John B. Anderson
Ronald Reagan
Moderator(s) Bill Moyers of PBS
Debate between Ronald Reagan and John Anderson on September 21, 1980

The first presidential debate took place on Sunday, September 21, 1980, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The three invitees were Carter, Anderson and Reagan, though Carter refused to attend due to the presence of Anderson. [8] [9]

Following a strong performance by Reagan, Anderson's poll numbers began to drop. Consequently, Anderson would not be invited to the second debate. [8]

Format

The debate started at 10:00 p.m. EDT, and lasted for one hour. [10] Anderson and Reagan both received six questions. [11] They were given two and a half minutes to answer each question, as well as one minute and 15 seconds to rebut. Closing statements could be as long as three minutes. [10]

October 28: Second presidential debate (Music Hall)

Second presidential debate
Carter Reagan Debate 10-28-80.png
Date(s)October 28, 1980 (1980-10-28)
Duration90 minutes
Venue Music Hall
Location Cleveland, Ohio
Participants Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
Moderator(s) Howard K. Smith of ABC
Debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter on October 28, 1980

The second presidential debate took place on Tuesday, October 28, 1980, at the Music Hall in Cleveland, Ohio. [8] Carter and Reagan were the only invitees. [8] Reagan's most notable moments include using the phrase "There you go again" and asking whether or not Americans were better off than they were four years ago. [8] CNN attempted to include Anderson from the Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. CNN's Daniel Schorr read the same questions to Anderson. They then aired Anderson's live responses along with tape delay of Carter and Reagan's responses, [12] [13] despite technical difficulties. [14]

Format

The second presidential debate started at 9:30 p.m. EST, and lasted for 90 minutes. [10] The debate consisted of two halves, and panelists were only allowed to offer follow-ups in the first half. Candidates Carter and Reagan both received the same 12 questions [15] and the ability to rebut twice for one minute each. [10]

Viewership

According to Nielsen Media Research, the debate garnered 80.6 million viewers. [10] [16] It was the most-watched debate in American history until the first presidential debate of 2016. [17]

Reaction

An unscientific televote poll carried out by ABC immediately after the debate received about 650,000 responses, two thirds in favor of Reagan. [18] [19]

Aftermath

In 1983, Reagan's campaign came under fire for having access to Carter's internal debate briefing materials. [20]

Other debates

A minor party debate was held by the New York Committee for Marxist Education on October 9. The debate was moderated by Bill Henning, and attended by representatives of the Communist Party USA, Socialist Workers Party, Socialist Party USA, Citizens Party, and Workers World Party. The only candidate to attend in person was Workers World's Deirdre Griswold. [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 United States presidential election</span> 51st quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1988 United States presidential election was the 51st quadrennial presidential election held on Tuesday, November 8, 1988. In what was the third consecutive landslide election for the Republican Party, their ticket of incumbent Vice President George H. W. Bush and Indiana senator Dan Quayle defeated the Democratic ticket of Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis and Texas senator Lloyd Bentsen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 United States presidential election</span> 48th quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1976 United States presidential election was the 48th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 2, 1976. The Democratic nominee, former Georgia governor Jimmy Carter, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford. This was the first presidential election since 1932 in which the incumbent was defeated, as well as the only Democratic victory of the six presidential elections between 1968 and 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 United States presidential election</span> 49th quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1980 United States presidential election was the 49th quadrennial presidential election, held on November 4, 1980. The Republican nominee, former California governor Ronald Reagan, defeated incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter in a landslide victory. This was the first election since 1932 in which an elected incumbent president was defeated, as well as the first election since 1888 that saw the defeat of an incumbent Democratic president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 United States presidential election</span> 50th quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1984 United States presidential election was the 50th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 6, 1984. Incumbent Republican President Ronald Reagan and his running mate, incumbent Vice President George H. W. Bush, were reelected to a second term in a landslide. They defeated the Democratic ticket of former Vice President Walter Mondale and Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Mondale</span> Vice President of the United States from 1977 to 1981

Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 42nd vice president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter. he previously served as a U.S. senator from Minnesota from 1964 to 1976, he was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 1984 presidential election, but lost to incumbent Ronald Reagan in an Electoral College and popular vote landslide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John B. Anderson</span> American politician (1922–2017)

John Bayard Anderson was an American lawyer and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 16th congressional district from 1961 to 1981. A member of the Republican Party, he also served as the Chairman of the House Republican Conference from 1969 until 1979. In 1980, he ran an independent campaign for president, receiving 6.6% of the popular vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States presidential debates</span> Traditional formality of presidential candidates debating prior to the election

During presidential election campaigns in the United States, it has become customary for the candidates to engage in one or more debates. The topics discussed in the debate are often the most controversial issues of the time, and arguably elections have been nearly decided by these debates. Candidate debates are not constitutionally mandated, but they are now considered an intrinsic part of the election process. The debates are targeted mainly at undecided voters; those who tend not to be partial to any political ideology or party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Lucey</span> American politician (1918–2014)

Patrick Joseph Lucey was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 38th Governor of Wisconsin from 1971 to 1977. He was also independent presidential candidate John B. Anderson's running mate in the 1980 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commission on Presidential Debates</span> Bi-partisan U.S. presidential debate organizing group formed in 1987

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is a nonprofit corporation established in 1987 under the joint sponsorship of the Democratic and Republican political parties in the United States. The CPD sponsors and produces debates for U.S. presidential and vice-presidential candidates and undertakes research and educational activities relating to the debates. Between 1988 and 2020, the CPD organized all general election presidential debates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Republican Party presidential primaries</span> Selection of Republican US presidential candidate

From January 21 to June 3, 1980, voters of the Republican Party chose its nominee for president in the 1980 United States presidential election. Retired Hollywood actor and two-term California governor Ronald Reagan was selected as the nominee through a series of primary elections and caucuses culminating in the Republican National Convention held from July 14 to 17, 1980, in Detroit, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Reagan 1980 presidential campaign</span> American political campaign

In the 1980 United States presidential election, Ronald Reagan and his running mate, George H. W. Bush, were elected president and vice president, defeating incumbents Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 United States presidential election in New Jersey</span>

The 1980 United States presidential election in New Jersey took place on November 4, 1980. All 50 states and the District of Columbia, were part of the 1980 United States presidential election. Voters chose seventeen electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 United States presidential election in Minnesota</span>

The 1980 United States presidential election in Minnesota took place on November 4, 1980, as part of the 1980 United States presidential election. State voters chose ten representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for President and Vice-president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 United States presidential election in Illinois</span>

The 1980 United States presidential election in Illinois took place on November 4, 1980. All 50 states and The District of Columbia, were part of the 1980 United States presidential election. State voters chose 26 electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president. Illinois voters chose between the Democratic ticket of incumbent president Jimmy Carter and vice president Walter Mondale, and the Republican ticket of Ronald Reagan and running mate George H. W. Bush, as well as the independent candidacy of John B. Anderson and running mate Patrick Lucey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 United States presidential election in Wisconsin</span>

The 1980 United States presidential election in Wisconsin took place on November 4, 1980. All 50 states and The District of Columbia, were part of the 1980 United States presidential election. State voters chose eight electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Mondale 1984 presidential campaign</span> American political campaign

The Walter Mondale 1984 presidential campaign began on February 21, 1983, when Walter Mondale, a former Minnesota senator and vice president of the United States, announced that he was running for president in a speech at the Minnesota State Capitol. Mondale won the Democratic Party's presidential nomination after convincing Frank Lautenberg, a previously unpledged party delegate, to support him. Lautenberg's vote gave Mondale the 1,967 delegate votes needed to become the Democratic Party's nominee. Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro, a U.S. representative from New York, as his running mate. Mondale lost the general election, held on November 6, 1984, to incumbent Republican President Ronald Reagan in a landslide. Had Mondale been elected, he would have been the first U.S. president from Minnesota and the first non-incumbent vice president since Richard Nixon to take office as president. Ferraro would also have been the country's first female vice president, and the first person from New York since Nelson Rockefeller to become vice president, whereas her husband, John Zaccaro, would also have been the country's first second gentleman.

The 1984 United States presidential debates a series of debates held during the 1984 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Reagan 1984 presidential campaign</span> American political campaign

In the 1984 United States presidential election, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush were reelected president and vice president over Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro of the Democratic Party.

In the 1976 United States presidential election, Jimmy Carter and his running mate, Walter Mondale, were elected president and vice president, defeating incumbent Republican president Gerald Ford and his running mate, Bob Dole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Carter 1980 presidential campaign</span> American political campaign

In the 1980 United States presidential election, incumbent president Jimmy Carter and incumbent vice president Walter Mondale were defeated by Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan and vice presidential nominee George H. W. Bush.

References

  1. ↑ Bitzer, Lloyd F.; Rueter, Theodore (August 24, 1980). "The 1980 Debates". The New York Times . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Presidential Debate Plan Appears to Be in Jeopardy". The New York Times . Associated Press. August 24, 1980. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  3. ↑ Clymer, Adam (August 25, 2020). "G.O.P Joins Carter Plea for Debate Without Anderson; League's Plans in Doubt Important to Anderson". The New York Times . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  4. ↑ Smith, Hedrick (September 10, 1980). "Carter Declines to Debate After Anderson Is Invited". The New York Times . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Voters League Cancels Vice-Presidential Debate". The New York Times . September 30, 1980. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "CPD: 1980 Debates". www.debates.org. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  7. ↑ "League sends debate tickets as souvenirs". The Courier-Journal . October 29, 1980. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "1980 Presidential Debates". CNN. 1996. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Carter Bars Debate With Anderson". The Washington Post . May 28, 1980. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "1980 Debates". Commission on Presidential Debates. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  11. ↑ "September 21, 1980 Debate Transcript". Commission on Presidential Debates. September 21, 1980. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  12. ↑ Shipp, Randy (October 27, 1980). "Anderson to debate, too, via cable-TV network". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  13. ↑ Weaver Jr., Warren (October 29, 1980). "A CARTER 'FLIP-FLOP' IS SEEN BY ANDERSON; Responding to 2 Debaters' Views, He Says on Cable TV That Tax Cuts Are 'Irresponsible' Carter's Earlier Position Repeating Charges of Past Service in World War II" . The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  14. ↑ Schroeder, Alan (June 2016). Presidential Debates: Risky Business on the Campaign Trail. Columbia University Press. p. 263. ISBN   978-0-231-54150-3.
  15. ↑ "October 28, 1980 Debate Transcript". Commission on Presidential Debates. October 28, 1980. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Highest Rated Presidential Debates 1960 To Present". Nielsen. October 6, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  17. ↑ Kennedy, Merrit (September 27, 2016). "Clinton-Trump Showdown Was The Most-Watched Presidential Debate Ever". NPR. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  18. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (October 30, 1980). "TV: Instant Poll Steals Post-Debate Scene". The New York Times . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  19. ↑ Lanoue, Daniel J. (1992). "One That Made a Difference: Cognitive Consistency, Political Knowledge, and the 1980 Presidential Debate". Public Opinion Quarterly . 56 (2): 168–184. doi:10.1086/269309. JSTOR   2749168 . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  20. ↑ Kondracke, Morton (July 17, 1983). "Debategate". The New Republic. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  21. ↑ Dionne Jr., E. J. (October 12, 1980). "5 Parties of the Left Conduct a Presidential Debate". The New York Times . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.