Items20The creator’s order
- 1
John F. KennedyBorn 29 May 1917Kennedy's reply on education funding in the 26 September 1960 debate is a compact example of correcting the terms of a disagreement. He distinguishes Washington paying teachers directly from grants that states could allocate themselves. That distinction answers Nixon's specific objection instead of…0i - 2
Richard NixonBorn 9 Jan 1913Asked on 26 September 1960 why he opposed a measure that could raise teachers' pay, Nixon separates the desired result from the proposed means. He supports higher salaries but argues for school-construction aid that would release local funds, explaining his concern about federal control. The answer…0i - 3
Gerald FordBorn 14 Jul 1913The 23 September 1976 debate confronts Ford with the contrast between pardoning Nixon and refusing a blanket pardon for draft evaders. He stays with the difficult comparison and states his reasons: Nixon's resignation, the burden of continuing Watergate proceedings and the demands of governing. His…0i - 4
Jimmy CarterBorn 1 Oct 1924Under questioning about the tone of the campaign on 22 October 1976, Carter acknowledges mistakes and says he would not repeat his Playboy interview. He then describes how he wants the remaining campaign to proceed. The useful moment is the explicit concession before the return to policy: he gives…0i - 5
Ronald ReaganBorn 6 Feb 1911Reagan's age answer on 21 October 1984 turns a direct question about stamina into humour about his opponent's relative youth. He first answers the question, then reverses the disadvantage in a short, readily understood contrast. The exchange demonstrates economy and control of tone under personal…0i - 6
Walter MondaleBorn 5 Jan 1928On 7 October 1984, Mondale responds to Reagan's familiar dismissive catchphrase by asking the audience to examine what followed its earlier use in a Medicare exchange. Rather than competing for the last joke, he attempts to make the line answerable to a policy record. The technique is worth…0i - 7
Geraldine FerraroBorn 26 Aug 1935Ferraro's response to George H. W. Bush on 11 October 1984 challenges his manner of explaining foreign policy to her, then rejects his characterisation of her remarks about the marines killed in Lebanon. She does not leave the exchange at an objection to tone. The second step restores the…0i - 8
Lloyd BentsenBorn 11 Feb 1921When Dan Quayle compares his congressional experience with Kennedy's on 5 October 1988, Bentsen replies through his own acquaintance with Kennedy. The short response directly uses the comparison Quayle has offered; when challenged, Bentsen explains why he rejects it. Its strength is listening and…0i - 9
Bill ClintonBorn 19 Aug 1946In the 15 October 1992 town hall, Clinton asks an audience member to clarify how economic problems have affected her before answering. He connects her concern about jobs and homes to experiences he describes as governor, then moves towards policy. That sequence makes listening part of the response…0i - 10
George H. W. BushBorn 12 Jun 1924Asked on 11 October 1984 where loyalty to Reagan ends and principle begins, Bush offers a clear distinction between giving a president private advice and supporting him publicly. He explains the working relationship rather than simply insisting that the two men never disagree. The answer makes a…0i
