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Dubious moments in vice presidential debate history

In honor of tonight's debate between vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, here are (in)famous moments from every VP debate since they started in 1976.

1976: First ever vice presidential debate takes place between Republican Bob Dole and Democrat Walter Mondale. Sen. Dole has a major gaffe calling all the wars in the 20th century--including World Wars I and II--"Democrat Wars." And what's his problem with Detroit anyway?


1980: No vice presidential debate.


1984: The debate between George H.W. Bush and Democrat Geraldine Ferraro, the first ever female VP candidate from either major party. Joe Biden has probably watched this debate more often than Mystery, Alaska.


1988: Democrat Lloyd Bentsen takes on Republican Dan Quayle and delivers the famous, "You, sir, are no Jack Kennedy" line. How come no one mentions Quayle's boyish reaction to this slight?


1992: Ross Perot's running mate Admiral James Stockdale and his hearing aid heard 'round the world.


1996: Where did the notion that Al Gore is a robot come from? Oh yeah ...


2000: Did Cheney just describe the Bush Administration's talking points for war in Iraq?


2004: How do you know when Dick Cheney and John Edwards are lying? (Their lips are moving.)

Comments (1)

Sue:

How much of communicating is controlling (lowering) expectations? A core tenet of risk management that is reading today to the tune of, "Joe Biden will say something stupid." and "Sarah Palin can't tie her shoes."

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