Soon, the Super Bowl will be gone and replaced with presidential debates. It is that time. These can be quite entertaining with all the negative ads and the character slurring remarks. I have a quiz today that addresses some of the past hilarious remarks in presidential debates.
1. Which opening statement is correct of Ross Perot’s running mate, Adm. William Stockdale in 1992? Ross for Boss; I didn’t have my hearing aid turned on; My name is Adm. William Stockdale and I am running for vice-president; Who am I? Why am I here? I’m not a politician.”
2. Gerald Ford’s faux pas in the 1976 debate with Jimmy Carter was: Richard Nixon was America’s best president; In answering a budget question, he responded with, “He was told there would be no math”; “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration.”; He yelled at Gov. Carter, “Stop patronizing me!”
3. Which of these were Regan responses in a debate? “There you go again.”; “When I hear your new ideas, I’m reminded of that ad, “Where’s the beef?”; I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”; “I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”
4. In the 2000 Republican primary debate with George W. Bush, what was his response when asked to name the political philosopher with whom he most identified? Thomas Jefferson; Jesus Christ; John Locke; Harry Bernstein.
5. True or False: In the first 1980 general election presidential debate, President Carter did not show up, leaving Ronald Reagan to debate independent candidate John Anderson.
6. True or False: In a 2008 campaign rally in Richmond, VA., supporters in the back were shouting, “We can’t hear you!” and “Louder!” Sarah Palin responded by saying, “I would hope at least that those protesters have the courage and the honor of thanking our veterans for giving them the right to protest!.”
ANSWERS
1. “Who am I? Why am I here? I am not a politian.” drew shock and laughter when he fumbled his introduction. 2. The second phrase was the famous gaffe from Ford’s campaign: “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration.” 3. The second and third answers were two of Regan’s famous answers to debate questions. 4. Jesus Christ, but many people questioned whether Christ could really be considered a political philosopher. 5. Anderson, a Republican congressman from Illinois, was running for president as an independent. Carter refused to appear in a debate with him, leaving Regan to debate him alone. 6. True. Mrs. Palin later became a standing joke on Saturday Night Live with Tina Fey.