Make or break presidential debates

1960: First TV debate pits Republican Vice President Richard Nixon against Democratic nominee John F Kennedy.
Nixon can be seen sweating profusely, his eyes darting nervously. JFK is charismatic, setting forth his vision
of equal rights for all Kennedy wins election

Viewers 70m

1976: Democrat Jimmy Carter faces off against President Gerald Ford. Ford’s gaffe – that there is no “Soviet
domination” in Eastern Europe – suggests he has little grasp of foreign affairs Carter wins election 69.9

1980: President Jimmy Carter is plagued with economic problems and hostage crisis at U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
Republican Ronald Reagan’s impressive performance prompts audience laughter at one point with witty one liner to
Carter –  “There you go again”  Reagan wins election 80.6

1992: President George H.W. Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton and independent Ross Perot. Bush responds testily to question about recession and is caught looking at his wristwatch Clinton wins election 69.9

2000: Vice President Al Gore holds advantage going up against against Republican contender George W Bush. Gore comes across as lecturing and condescending, sighing loudly while Bush is speaking Bush wins election 46.6

2008: Sparring match between Barack Obama and John McCain is overshadowed by running mates’ debate – Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin Obama wins election 52.4 69.9

Obama-McCain, Palin-Biden

2012: After a lacklustre first debate in which President Obama underestimates Republican challenger Mitt Romney, Obama triggers explosive exchanges over foreign affairs, winning final debate Obama wins election 67.2

Sources: NBC News, Nielsen Media Research

Pictures: Associated Press