— Although they were established just 40 years ago, presidential
debates are now a major feature of the election season. Take a
look back at the highlights (and lowlights) of every
presidential and vice-presidential debate since 1960. Democratic
candidate John F. Kennedy challenged Republican Vice President
Richard Nixon, who was leading the polls, to a series of
debates. The four, one-hour debates were the first ever
presidential debates. The famed 1858 debates between Abraham
Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas occurred during the Illinois
senatorial campaign. In an echo of this year’s rhetoric, in one
of the debates against Kennedy, Nixon said he was “very proud
that President Eisenhower restored dignity and decency and
frankly good language to the conduct of the presidency of the
United States.” September 26, 1960 Who: Sen. John F. Kennedy,
Democrat and Vice President Richard M. Nixon, Republican Where:
Chicago, Ill. Moderator: Howard Smith as moderator, plus a panel
including Sander Vanocur, Charles Warren, S