QUESTIONS:
1. The plans for presidential debates this year are soon to be completed. In what year did major party presidential candidates debate for the first time?
2. When did vice presidential candidates debate for the first time?
3. In the history of presidential debates, third-party candidates have only twice been included in these forums. Can you name the two third-party candidates who got to debate major party nominees?
4. Only once did a third-party vice presidential nominee participate in nationally televised debates. Can you name him?
5. In what year were the most presidential debates held?
ANSWERS:
1. 1960, between Democrat John F. Kennedy and Republican Richard Nixon.
2. 1976, between Democrat Walter Mondale and Republican Robert Dole.
3. In 1980, independent John B. Anderson debated Republican Ronald Reagan. (Democrat Jimmy Carter debated Reagan separately without Anderson). In 1992, independent Ross Perot was included in all three debates with Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican George Bush.
4. In 1992, Perot's running mate, Adm. James Stockdale, was included in debates with Democrat Al Gore and Republican Dan Quayle.
5. In 1960, when opponents Kennedy and Nixon held four separate televised debates.
