The Quayle-Gore Slugfest
Some viewers blamed the moderator, ABC News' Hal Bruno, for the "free-for-all" between Republican Dan Quayle and Democrat Al Gore during the 1992 vice presidential debates. Before long, the debate had turned into a verbal brawl, with both men interrupting the other while bewildered third-party candidate Admiral James Stockdale looked on in disbelief. From the official transcript:
QUAYLE: My turn (holding hand up at Gore)
GORE: Did you require (inaudible)
(Simultaneous conversation)
QUAYLE: My turn.
GORE: It's a free discussion.
QUAYLE: Take a breath, Al. Inhale.
GORE: It's a free discussion.
...
BRUNO: Can we give Admiral Stockdale a chance to jump in here if he wants to.
STOCKDALE: I would like to get in. I feel like I'm an observer at a ping-pong game.