The Moment that Defined the 1980's: The Reagan-Carter Presidential Debate

The 1980 Reagan vs Carter debate was a turning point in American politics. Watch these two political titans discuss key issues that shaped the nation. Essential viewing for politics students and history lovers.

00:05 – Introduction to the debate by the League of Women Voters
02:36 – 1st question for Governor Reagan, differences between the candidates on the use of military power
05:09 – Follow-up question, balancing the budget while increasing military buildup
06:55 – Same question to President Carter
09:46 – Follow-up on countering Russian aggression
11:15 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
12:32 – Last word on question from President Carter
13:31 – President Carter, how to respond to inflation
16:18 – Follow-up on unemployment
18:04 – Same question to Governor Reagan
21:06 – Follow-up on cutting government spending
22:38– Rebuttal from President Carter
23:57 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
24:48 – Question to Governor Reagan on dealing with the rise in crime
27:34 – Follow-up on America's future as a multi-racial society
28:54 – Same question to President Carter
31:26 – Follow-up question
33:07 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
34:10 – Last word from President Carter
35:22 – Question to President Carter on the hostages in Iran
37:47 – Follow-up question
39:02 – Same question for Governor Reagan
41:43 – Follow-up question
43:33 – Rebuttal from President Carter
44:38 – Last word from Governor Reagan
45:15 – Second half of the debate begins
45:46 – Question to Governor Reagan on arms control
48:38 – Same question for President Carter
51:30 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
52:54 – Rebuttal from President Carter
54:30 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
55:37 – Last word from President Carter
56:51 – Question to President Carter on US dependance on Arab oil
59:38 – Same question to Governor Reagan
01:02:27 – Rebuttal from President Carter
01:03:59 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
01:05:31 – Rebuttal from President Carter
01:06:40 – Last word from Governor Reagan
01:07:53 – Question to Governor Reagan about social security
01:09:52 – Same question for President Carter
01:11:30 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
01:13:09 – Rebuttal from President Carter
01:14:51 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
01:15:54 – Last word from President Carter
01:17:04 – Question to President Carter on why Governor Reagan should not be President
01:20:09 – Same question to Governor Reagan about President Carter
01:23:21 – Rebuttal from President Carter
01:23:45 – Rebuttal from Governor Reagan
01:25:06 – Rebuttal from President Carter
01:26:18 – Last word from Governor Reagan
01:27:16 – Closing statement from President Carter
01:30:35 – Closing statement from Governor Reagan
01:33:51 – The debate concludes

[davidkeetz]

I wonder if someone like Kamala Harris ever even thought about maybe watching the old debates. I'm sure she did not even consider it but I think we'd be better off if our current candidates took some time to study and understand history. They ran every video recorded presidential debate we have on file through an analysis program to determine what the average grade level of speech was for each debate and it determined that in 1980 it was something like a college freshman level and by the time we got to 2020, it was a 6th or 7th grade level.