Senator Walter Mondale, D-Minn., left, speaks as Senator Robert Dole, R-Kan., listens during the Vice Presidential debate in Houston, Texas, Oct. 15, 1976. The debate was televised. (AP Photo)
Time.com recalled what was noted as the “first formal debate ever held between Vice-Presidential candidates” in 1976 between Senator Walter Mondale and Senator Robert Dole
Preceding the 2016 Vice Presidential Debate with Virginia U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Time.com recalled what was noted as the “first formal debate ever held between Vice-Presidential candidates” in 1976 between Senator Walter Mondale and Senator Robert Dole.
The debate was held at the Alley Theater in Houston, Texas on October 15, 1976, and moderated by James Hoge, the Editor of the Chicago Sun Times. The Vice Presidential Debate was the third debate during the 1976 Election; with the first, second, and fourth being Presidential Debates.
The debate featured Minnesota U.S. Senator Walter Mondale who was Governor Jimmy Carter’s running-mate, and Kansas U.S. Senator Robert Dole who was President Gerald R. Ford’s running-mate. The three Presidential debates were held in Philadelphia, PA; San Fransisco, CA; and Williamsburg, VA. Moderators included Edwin Newman from NBC News; Pauline Frederick from NPR; and Barbara Walters from ABC News.
During his opening remarks, moderator James Hoge stated “It (the debate) is also being broadcast by radio and television to an audience estimated at some eighty-five million persons in this nation and overseas. As far as we can tell this is the first formal debate ever held between vice-presidential candidates. Their views are important not only because they seek the second highest office in the land, but because as potential vice presidents, they must be judged on their capacities to serve as president of the United States. For example, of the last five presidents, three have become president due to death, or resignation, by a chief executive.”
To read the full article from Time.com, please visit: http://time.com/4511710/vice-presidential-debate-history/
To read the full transcript from the 1976 Vice Presidential Debate located at The American Presidency Project hosted by the University of California, please visit: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=62249
