ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the evolution of televised debates in the United States, from the groundbreaking Kennedy–Nixon debates of 1960 to the present, with an emphasis on how these events have transformed from a television experiment into an established campaign ritual. This chapter looks at the inevitability of debates among American presidential candidates, both in the primary season when party nominees are being chosen, and in the general election when voters decide whom to elect as their president. Relevant factors such as sponsorship and production formats are discussed, along with the changing media landscape in which debates unfold. Although debates are still essentially a product of the television medium, they increasingly play out against the backdrop of interactive digital media, giving the voting public a greater voice in how these events are watched and perceived. Finally, the chapter considers the role of various stakeholders in U.S. presidential debates, including the candidates and their advisors, the news media, and—of greatest importance—the electorate.
