The Friday Quiz: Almost Topical
You'll gasp with disbelief when you see that the Friday Quiz is unaccountably in sync with the events of the day -- practically ripped-from-the-headlines, Dick Wolf style.
OK, not really. But there was another debate tonight between Presidential candidates, and this question (or set of questions) is about...debates!
As you likely know, the first nationally televised debate in a U.S. election was between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, in 1960. After that election, the next televised debate did not take place in the following electoral round. Who were the pair of debaters in the next round of televised general election debates following 1960? And -- this is the serious question -- what pair followed those two as participants in a televised general election debate?
Final set of superbonus questions: the first national radio broadcast debate was in 1948, between two candidates for the Republican nomination. The Democratic party didn't follow up with a radio broadcast of its finalists for the nomination until 1956. Name the four debaters involved.
On any correct answer to any subquestion, the first correct answer will win an unopened case of "GIULIANI FOR PRESIDENT" straw boaters. No Googling or mounting an off-the-books robocall campaign to smear and discredit your opponents (especially because you don't want boxjam uncorking his Chicago-style political dirty tricks in retaliation, at least not this early in the campaign. It's just February, people. Save something for the stretch). One guess per comment, but with the kind of electronic comment system we got going here, I'm sure it can be abused all to hell.
Comments
I think the answer to the very first question is Ford/Carter.
If I understand the serious question, you're saying another debate immediately followed the presidential debate, and was also televised. Let's say, um, Jane Fonda and G. Gordon Liddy.
1956 Dem debate - well, Adlai Stevenson. Hubert Humphrey?
Can't think of any more guesses. Have to shovel.
Posted by: boxjam![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 06:56 AM
No, I didn't understand the next question. Next televised general election debate.
Well, if I'm right about Ford/Carter (including at William and Mary, sponsored by the League of Women Voters), I think the answer is *kind of* Carter and Ford, again. I think they debated 3 times. Televised.
And for the super bonus lightning no-whammy round, I'll say 'and Alf Landon, William Jennings Bryan, Stephen Douglas and Alan Keyes.'
Posted by: boxjam![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 10:50 AM
Ford and Carter are right. And Stevenson is right for '56.
Posted by: BT![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 10:51 AM
To be clear: I was saying "First pair of debaters to do a televised gen. election debate: Nixon and Kennedy. Who are the second and third pairs?"
The second pair are Ford and Carter. The remaining question is who are the third pair? Yes, it's a "trick question" -- but it's not "Ford and Carter, again."
Posted by: BT![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 11:00 AM
Oh, and to reiterate: Stevenson is 1/2 of the equation for '56. The rest remain unguessed.
Posted by: BT![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 11:02 AM
VP debate '76 -- Dole/Mondale
Wild guesses on other debaters in '56: Harold Stassen! Strom Thurmond! Fulbright! "Scoop" Jackson!
Posted by: hackly_fracture![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 11:05 AM
Oh, I thought the VP debate would be harder! And I didn't expect, for that matter, that '76 would be zeroed in on so quickly. Well done...
Your guessing is wild indeed on '56, Hackly, but even flailing can sometimes get good results. Stassen was the unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination. So, he's one half of the 1948 radio debate. So we're still waiting for his matchup, along with Stevenson's.
Posted by: BT![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 11:51 AM
The '56 Republican nomination was contested?
Different times. I'll go crazy and guess Ike.
And for the Dems, Al Gore Sr.
Posted by: boxjam![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 12:40 PM
No, sorry, I wasn't clear. We're talking about the Republicans only in '48. And the Dems only in '56. I don't think Ike had to debate anybody.
Posted by: BT![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 02:51 PM
I was flailing more than I realized; I thought I was throwing out 4 dems debating in '56. I remembered Stassen as a perennial, not a repub. Not enough sleep.
But, if it's '48 and I've accidentally guessed the loser, the winner was Tom Dewey, yes?
Posted by: hackly_fracture![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wombatfile.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 1, 2008 04:02 PM