te, Vietnam, assassinations and other experiences had changed forever the way Americans viewed their government. Many deeply distrusted it, and debates came to be seen as a useful tool in restoring confidence in the political process (CNN.com, 1996). Thus, since 1976, debates have played an important role in presidential campaigns. Although they usually will not change the momentum of a campaign, they can help candidates exploit an opponent's weakness, help deflect attacks and provide new ideas to a national audience (CNN.com, 1996).
Usually, debates merely reinforce a viewer's existing political allegiance to any given candidate. Still, since the advent of television, debates have produced many memorable moments, such as Ronald Reagan's vowing not to exploit Walter Mondale's youth and inexperience in 1984 (Berke, 2000). And as demonstrat
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