Debates: Have they ever turned a loser into a winner BY THEMSELVES?

[garthranzz]

Let's take Nate Silver's reading of the polls as the base, and that Obama has 300+ EV. Since the debates became standard practice - let's start with Carter-Ford - has a debate performance - by itself - ever doomed or won a presidential election? Mondale was lost before he started; from what I've read Kerry closed the gap with Bush more because Democrats were convinced to come home than that Kerry won over independents, etc.

Debates are important, but by themselves, do they do more than confirm what the campaigns have established?

[Alexander]

1. John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying he wouldn't have won in 1960 without the debates.

[surrealAmerican]

6. This is, perhaps, not the best example.

In 1960, only about half of US households had television. Among those who watched the debates on television, a sizable majority said that Kenedy had won, but a majority of people who listened to the debates on radio thought Nixon had won.

[gkhouston]

11. Also, Nixon had been VP for 8 years, which would presumably have been an advantage.

I'd say the incumbent advantage this time around goes to the candidate who's more likely to turn in a good debate performance.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. It's not clear that Kennedy won

Just sayin'...

[DemzRock]

2. I seem to remember them having some impact...

but they're not everything. In 2000, though, it wasn't the debates that hurt Gore. It was the selective spin. His sighs were attacked but Bush's blinking was ignored. So the mainstream media can change who won the debate too.

[ejbr]

3. Without the shinanigans in Ohio

Kerry won the election.

[andym]

4. Reagan in 1980. After that one debate, the election dynamic changed

Why? Because he overcame his pre-debate reputation as an dangerous extremist which was suppressing his poll numbers-- although in reality he still was....

[flyingfysh]

5. 1976 Carter vs Ford

That debate is probably the main reason Ford lost.

[former9thward]

7. Reagan vs.Carter

Carter led Reagan by 8 in October. After the debates it was all over.

[progressivebydesign]

9. Huge problem for Mitt. He's already VERY unlikable, in a way not seen before.

I don't think there has ever been a more unlikable candidate in modern history. The media doesn't even like him. Doubt many people will watch the debates, and sadly for Romney.. there WILL be fact-checking. So all the smarmy bullshit lies will be fact checked with speed in the internet.

That's the thing that previous debates didn't have, up until the last few: Twitter, FB, etc., AND lightning fast fact checking.

Remember Romney is just so damn unlikable, and untrustworthy. People aren't going to listen to his word salad and go "oh yes, I LIKE what he has to say!!" and change their vote. Instead it will be a collective "yeah.. riiiiiight"

[busterbrown]

10. Question out there??????

Anyone out there on top of Kaine-Allen debate?
I read that Kaine came out with a minimum tax plan which republicans pounced on.

Can anyone tell me if and what kind of damage was done by Kaine.
Allen is a true piece of crap. So trying to stay on top of this.
Thanks.