Campaign Notebook, Oct. 14, 1996

VIEWER DEBATE PREP

Why history suggests that Bill Clinton should not be overconfident

Sitting Presidents, beware! Only four incumbents have ever engaged in campaign debates--and three of them have lost.

1976: Gerald Ford, the first ever incumbent President to debate his opponent, meets challenger Jimmy Carter

Ford loses in November

1980: Incumbent Jimmy Carter debates challenger Ronald Reagan, who upbraids the President with "There you go again."

Carter loses in November

1984: Incumbent Ronald Reagan debates challenger Walter Mondale

Reagan wins!

1992: Incumbent George Bush debates challenger Bill Clinton

Bush loses in November

ME, TOO. ME, TOO. ME, TOO

...

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