1992 United States presidential debates

The 1992 United States presidential debates were a series of debates held for the presidential election.

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a bipartisan organization formed in 1987, organized four debates among the major presidential candidates: three presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate. Republican nominee George H. W. Bush, Democratic nominee Bill Clinton, and Independent candidate Ross Perot met the criteria for inclusion in the debates. The CPD-sponsored vice presidential debate took place between Republican nominee Dan Quayle, Democratic nominee Al Gore, and Independent candidate (running-mate of Ross Perot) James Stockdale.

October 11: First presidential debate (St. Louis, Missouri)


The first presidential debate was held at Field House, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri on Sunday, October 11, 1992, between President George H. W. Bush, Governor Bill Clinton and businessman Ross Perot. Jim Lehrer moderated the debate with Sander Vanocur, Ann Compton and John Mashek as panelists.

Questions were divided between foreign and domestic policy. It was the first time three candidates shared a single stage in a televised debate. A poll conducted by CNN/USA TODAY on October 11, 1992, found that of those watching, 47 percent rated Perot the winner, 30 percent voted Clinton and 16 percent voted Bush. The format decided was:


 * No opening statements
 * each candidate questioned in turn with two minutes to respond
 * one minute rebuttal by other candidates
 * two minute closing statements.

Viewership
An estimated 62.4 million viewers tuned into the debate.

October 15: Second presidential debate (Richmond, Virginia)
The second presidential debate was held at University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia on Thursday, October 15, 1992, between President George H. W. Bush, Governor Bill Clinton and businessman Ross Perot. Carole Simpson moderated the debate with 109 uncommitted voters as questioners. Questions were focused primarily on domestic issues and the economy, although no subject was restricted.

Clinton emerged out as the winner of the second debate leading over both Bush and Perot. A poll conducted by CNN/USA TODAY from Oct. 16–18, showed 58 percent calling Clinton the winner, 16 percent said Bush won and 15 percent said Perot. The format decided was:

Bush was seen on national camera checking his watch while being asked about the effect of the national debt on him personally. In a 1999 Interview by Jim Lehrer, on being asked what he was thinking as he checked his wristwatch, he replied:
 * Town hall meeting
 * two minute closing statements.

"I took a huge hit. That's another thing I don't like debates, you look at your watch and they say that he hasn’t any business running for president. He's bored and he's out of this thing, he's not with it and we need change. They took a little incident like that to show that I was, you know, out of it. They made a huge thing out of that. Now, was I glad when the damn thing was over? Yeah, and maybe that's why I was looking at it, only 10 more minutes of this crap, I mean. [Jim laughs] Go ahead and use it. I'm a free spirit now."

Viewership
An estimated 69.9 million viewers tuned into the debate.

October 19: Third presidential debate (East Lansing, Michigan)
The third presidential debate was held at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan on Monday, October 19, 1992, between President George H. W. Bush, Governor Bill Clinton and businessman Ross Perot. Jim Lehrer moderated the debate with Gene Gibbons, Helen Thomas and Susan Rook as panelists. The format decided was:

First half:


 * single moderator with option of follow-ups


 * roughly two minutes to answer
 * one minute rebuttal.

Second half:


 * panelists posed questions in turn with no follow-ups
 * Two minute closing statements.

A poll conducted by CNN/USA TODAY after the third debate found that viewers thought Perot had won. Opinions, however, were tied between Clinton's and Bush's performances; 28 percent thought Clinton had done the best job, 28 percent Bush, and 37 percent said Perot.

Viewership
An estimated 66.9 million viewers tuned into the debate.

October 13: Vice presidential debate (Atlanta, Georgia)
The vice presidential debate was held at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 13, 1992, between Vice president Dan Quayle, Senator Al Gore and Ret. Vice Admiral James Stockdale. Hal Bruno moderated the debate. The debate would become known for unusual responses and negative rhetoric from the candidates and the audience. It would later be called "the most combative debate in the 32-year history of the televised forums" by the Washington Post. One of the most memorable moments from the debate came early in the night. Bruno, in his capacity as debate moderator, asked James Stockdale, "Admiral Stockdale, your opening statement, please, sir?" Stockdale famously replied to Bruno's request: "Who am I? Why am I here?" Bruno also scolded the debate's audience when they jeered candidates Quayle and Gore, saying, "There’s no call for that ... so knock that off."

The format decided was:


 * two minute opening statements
 * issue presented to candidates with one minute
 * 15 seconds to respond
 * five minute discussion period about same topic followed
 * two minute closing statements.

Viewership
An estimated 51.2 million viewers tuned into the debate.