Do Presidential Debates have the power to change the mind or persuade voters?
Maybe it is better to take a look back at the past US Presidential Debates and how they affected the voters.
The 1960 US Presidential Elections was the first televised debate in US history. Senator Jack Kennedy went head-to-head with Vice President Richard Nixon.
Nixon might have been more convincing if people just listen to him. It is said that Nixon, at that time, declined to have make-up on for the cameras making him appeared very uncomfortable and sweaty.
Richard Nixon was ahead of Jack Kennedy by 1 point before the debate. But after, Jack Kennedy emerged with 3 points ahead.
Nixon's no make-up decision did cost him the presidency.
The 1984 election was no different. Ronald Reagan was pushing for a re-election. His opponent tagged him as too old for the presidential seat but Reagan was able to re-butt and used it against his opponent.
Fast forward to the 2000 US Presidential Elections between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush.
Viewers were turned off by Gore's personal attack and very audible groaning while Bush had the floor. Gore's 1.8 point lead turned around and after the debate, he was 1.5 points behind Bush.
These are great examples of debates greatly influencing the US Presidential Elections. However, there are also instances where it can be proved that debates only change the minds of the voters by some time.
Barrack Obama was beaten by Mitt Romney in the first debate during the 2012 US Presidential Elections.
Obama's lead of 5 points quickly diminished to 1 point after the debate. However, we all know he did recover and won over Romney with 3.9 points.
Now in the 2016 US Presidential Elections, Hillary Clinton's lead over opponent, Donald Trump, is getting narrower every day.
Grounding on the past US Presidential Debates, a slight error or simple misquotation has the possible power to change the minds of the viewers.
With the 2016 US Presidential Debate happening now and narrow lead of Clinton, it is anyone's game.
