In a debate unlike those that Americans have witnessed before, millions are turning their eyes to the screens of CNN on the evening of Thursday, June 27, to watch the first televised electoral debate between Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump. Anticipation looms in the U.S. for critical topics at stake in the debate.
**"Debates Attract Voters"**
Presidential debates attract record viewing numbers, second only to the Super Bowl finale. At least 73 million people watched the first debate between Trump and Biden in 2020, according to Nielsen Media Research. This figure accounts for the third-largest audience for a debate ever, following the first debate between former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Trump in 2016 (84 million viewers) and the 1980 debate between former presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan (80 million).
**"Previous American Debates"**
- **1960: John Kennedy and Richard Nixon**
The first televised presidential debate in U.S. history took place on September 26, 1960, between Democratic candidate Senator John Kennedy and Republican candidate and Vice President Richard Nixon, in Chicago at the WBBM-TV studios affiliated with CBS. The outcome was Kennedy's election.
- **1976: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter**
This debate occurred on September 23 and was the second since the first one in 1960, as Nixon refused to participate in debates after experiencing a "bitter" one in 1966. Ford made a critical mistake when he stated regarding Soviet influence in Eastern Europe, “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.” The result was Carter's election.
- **1980: Carter and Republican Ronald Reagan**
In this debate, former Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan showcased his ability to address the public during the only debate between the candidates a week before the election. Reagan looked directly into the camera and asked voters if they were better off than four years ago. The outcome was Reagan's election.
- **1984: Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale**
At 73, Reagan turned a significant weakness into a strength in his second debate with Mondale on October 21, stating, “I will not make age an issue of this campaign.” The result was Reagan's reelection.
- **1988: George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis**
In this debate, Dukakis failed to shake off the "cool" image his opponent labeled him with. George H.W. Bush won the election against Dukakis.
- **1992: George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton**
This election marked the first time three presidential candidates shared a stage, with independent candidate Ross Perot participating. The result was Clinton's election.
- **1996: Clinton and Bob Dole**
The debates on October 6 and 16 featured significant moments, with Dole attacking Clinton's first term scandals but Clinton affirmingly stating that such attacks did not address the nation’s problems. The result was Clinton's reelection.
- **2000: George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore**
Viewers noted Gore's somewhat condescending demeanor during his first debate with Bush on October 3. The result was Bush's election.
- **2004: Bush and John Kerry**
The candidates engaged in three heated debates, resulting in Bush's reelection.
- **2008: John McCain and Barack Obama**
The presidential debates in this election were marked by the onset of the financial crisis in 2008, focusing on how to address the economic downturn and move away from the policies of the outgoing president. The result was Obama's election.
- **2012: Obama and Mitt Romney**
Obama and his Republican rival Mitt Romney faced each other in the first presidential debate in Denver, Colorado, which was watched by tens of millions of Americans. The result was Obama's reelection.
- **2016: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump**
In the second round of debates, Trump's and Clinton's sharp exchanges revealed their true natures. The result was Trump's election.
- **2020: Biden and Trump**
The debate between Donald Trump and democratic challenger Joe Biden was marked by organization, unlike past debates, despite sharp attacks on each other regarding COVID-19, corruption, and other issues. The result was Biden's election.
