Looking back as far as 1960, some presidential debates mattered to voters, while others were quickly forgotten

Presidential debates can be significant and impactful in an election. Or they can be headline stories for a few days and then are largely forgotten when people cast their ballots.

In 1988, Vice President George H.W. Bush and Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis debated, with neither man making much of an impression on voters. Bush came across as Reagan’s junior partner aspiring for the big office, while Dukakis was robotic and drab, not even showing emotion when asked how he would respond if his wife Kitty was raped and murdered.

“Zorba the Clerk,” as the self-proclaimed “son of Greek immigrants” was dubbed, was just too dull to excite voters.

The VP debate between the veteran Sen. Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, the Democratic candidate, and the boyish Sen. Dan Quayle of Indiana, Bush’s surprise choice as a running mate, was the one to watch. Quayle was attacked for his youth and lack of experience, and he responded by comparing himself to JFK. Bentsen pounced.

“Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine,” said Bentsen, who had prepared for such an opportunity. “Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”

It was the high point of the campaign, but Bush and Quayle still rolled to an easy win. Just because you win a debate and land the best verbal punch doesn’t guarantee victory.

Debates in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 produced headlines the next day but few lasting impressions. In 1992 and ‘96, Bill Clinton displayed empathy for people and appeared sharp and well-informed, Bush and Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas came across as old and detached. Independent candidate Ross Perot may have been the most interesting person on the stag both times.

President Bush was panned for checking his watch at one point. Such small things become big stories in such a closely watched contest.

George W. Bush stood toe-to-toe with VP Al Gore in 2000, and Bush the Younger was a lot more personable. Gore made Dukakis look fascinating. Image, not substance, was the key in debates.

Democrats liked that in 1960 (when John Kennedy and Richard Nixon squared off, seen in the public domain photo above as posted on wikimedia commons), but grumbled about it decades later.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama clearly dominated Arizona Sen. John McCain in three debates in 2008. Republican Mitt Romney surprised Obama in their first debate in 2012, but Obama rebounded to do much better the second time around.

The 2016 presidential debates were painful to watch, as Trump attempted to bully and intimidate former first lady, New York Sen. and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Many of her remarks and predictions came true, but she ran a lackluster campaign and allowed Trump to stun the world — and himself — by winning the Electoral College and claiming the presidency.

Four years ago, Biden stood up to Trump, refused to buckle under and had the most memorable line when he told the president of the United States to shut up. Millions cheered, and Biden won easily.

But that was then. This time, Biden was not as effective. Trump was more subdued, avoided the shouting and interruptions that turned off moderate voters. He looked and sounded strong. It was a damaging 90 minutes for President Biden.

He made the same mistake Nixon did in 1960. He crammed like he was taking a test, as his team drilled him to remember details, while Trump relaxed, played golf and got a real tan, not one using orange makeup. It was the same winning strategy that Jack Kennedy used 64 years ago.

Will it make all the difference? Will Biden yield to calls that he step aside? Will this debate be remembered in the history books, or assigned to a footnote, like most of the prior joint appearances.

The 1960 debates were remarkable events, even historic. Will these two events be forever linked?

All four men — JFK, Nixon, Biden and Trump — served as president.

JFK was assassinated before he could serve a full term. He likely would have won a second term, but instead he became a legend and an ultimate “what might have been” figure.

Nixon was elected twice, beating a pair of South Dakota natives in Hubert Humphrey and George McGovern, but he resigned on Aug. 9, 1974, before he could be removed from office.

Trump was defeated in a bid for a second term. Now, he aims to be the first president since Grover Cleveland to return to the Oval Office after losing a run for a second term.

Biden first sought the presidency in 1987, but dropped out of the race before a single vote was cast in 1988. He ran again in 2008 and made little progress. Biden pondered mounting a campaign in 2016, and might have beaten Trump that year and spared the country and world a great deal of misery.

He finally claimed the White House in 2020, and is seeking a second term. He would be 86 if he serves two full terms, but after his dismal performance in the debate against Trump, he is being pressured to drop out of the race.

All because of a terrible performance in a debate. Reagan and Obama rebounded from a poor first debate. Will Trump live up to an agreement to hold a second debate in September? Will there be a third one closer to Election Day?

It’s all highly debatable.

Fourth-generation South Dakotan Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states and contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. Reprint with permission.