Debates
Table of Contents
Structure and Significance
Video Clip: The Structure of the 2020 Presidential Debates (3:28)
Video Clip: Interview with 2020 Presidential Debate Moderator Steve Scully (6:02)
Bell Ringer: Moderators for Presidential Debates (5:55)
Bell Ringer: Do debates matter in elections? (4:28)
Bell Ringer: Presidential Election Debates (6:36)
Bell Ringer: The Purpose of Town Hall Debates (5:24)
Bell Ringer: The Significance of Presidential Debates (3:54)
Bell Ringer: The Reasons for Debates in Campaigns (3:04)
Video Clip: Criteria for Presidential Debates (2:06)
Analyzing the 2020 Presidential Debates
Lesson Plan: 2020 Presidential Debate Viewing Guides
Lesson Plan: Analyzing the 2020 Presidential Debates
Debate Viewing Guides:
Debate Analysis by Topic/Issue (Google Doc)
Presidential Debate Rubric (Google Doc)
Presidential Debate BINGO (Google Doc)
Analyzing Modes of Persuasion (Ethos, Logos & Pathos) (Google Doc)
Debate Analysis by Category (Google Doc)
The 2020 Presidential Debates
Tuesday, September 29, 2020- First Presidential Debate
Full Video: First Presidential Debate (1:35:18)
Video Clips from the Debate:
Video Clip: Question on the Supreme Court (4:28)
Video Clip: Question on COVID-19 (5:55)
Video Clip: Question on the Economy (5:27)
Video Clip: Question on Race and Unrest (4:56)
Video Clip: Question on Trump and Biden Records (5:37)
Video Clip: Question on the Integrity of the Election (4:45)
Video Clip: Reactions to the First Presidential Debate (4:35)
Wednesday, October 7, 2020- Vice Presidential Debate
Full Video: 2020 Vice Presidential Debate (1:30:06)
Video Clips from the Debate:
Video Clip: Question on COVID-19 (8:26)
Video Clip: Question on Presidential Candidate Health Records (4:35)
Video Clip: Question on the Economic Recovery (9:23)
Video Clip: Question on Climate Change (5:47)
Video Clip: Question on Foreign Policy (8:41)
Video Clip: Question on Race Relations (11:56)
Video Clip: Question on the Transfer of Power (5:24)
Video Clip: Student Question on Civility in Politics (4:48)
Thursday, October 23, 2020- Final Presidential Debate
Full Video: 2020 Final Presidential Debate (1:32:56)
Video Clips from the Debate:
Video Clip: Question on COVID-19 (4:39)
Video Clip: Question on Reopening the Economy (6:18)
Video Clip: Question on Foreign Election Interference (7:21)
Video Clip: Question on Foreign Conflicts of Interest (7:21)
Video Clip: Question on Health Care (5:06)
Video Clip: Questions on Economic Recovery Plans and Minimum Wage (5:51)
Video Clip: Questions on Immigration (6:00)
Video Clip: Question on Race in America (7:48)
Video Clip: Question on Climate Change (8:24)
Video Clip: Question on National Unity (3:00)
Historical Debates
Students will watch and evaluate presidential debates from previous election years and determine the speakers' positions, message, and effectiveness of that message. Students will then evaluate the effect of the debate on the overall election and election result.
Past Debates
Video Clip: First 2016 Presidential Debate (H. Clinton v. Trump) (9/26/2016- 1:43:06)
Video Clip: First 2012 Presidential Candidates Debate (Obama v. Romney) (10/3/2012- 1:33:32)
Video Clip: First 2008 Presidential Candidates Debate (McCain v. Obama) (9/26/2008- 1:36:42)
Video Clip: First 2004 Presidential Debate (G.W. Bush v. Kerry (9/30/2004- 1:33:23)
Video Clip: First 2000 Presidential Debate (G.W. Bush v. Gore) (10/3/2000- 1:36:46)
Video Clip: First 1996 Presidential Debate (B. Clinton v. Dole) (10/6/1992- 1:42:17)
Video Clip: First 1992 Presidential Debate (G.H.W. Bush v. B. Clinton v. Perot) (10/11/1992- 1:42:05)
Video Clip: First 1988 Presidential Debate (G.H.W. Bush v. Dukakis (9/25/19881:34:50)
Video Clip: First 1984 Presidential Debate (Mondale v. Reagan) (10/7/1984- 1:41:00)
Video Clip: 1980 Presidential Debate (Carter v. Reagan) (10/28/1980- 1:55:58)
Video Clip: First 1976 Presidential Debate (9/23/1976- 1:57:55)
Video Clip: 1960 Kennedy - Nixon Debate (9/26/1960- 1:02:55)
Culminating Questions:
How have political debates evolved in the last few decades?
How has the impact of technology (television/social media) influenced the debate process?
How are the Presidential debates set up and planned?
Who makes the decisions concerning the rules and style of the debates?
Does a candidate’s performance during a debate critically impact their standing in the election?
How do the questions that the debate moderators ask and the presentation of candidates on TV affect the candidate during the general election?