1992 United States presidential debates

First Presidential debate
Date(s)	October 11, 1992 (1992-10-11)
Duration	90 minutes
Venue	Washington University in St. Louis
Location	St. Louis, Missouri
Participants	George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton Ross Perot
Moderator(s)	Jim Lehrer

The first presidential debate was held at Field House, Washington University in St. Louis,[3] Missouri on Sunday, October 11, 1992 between President George H. W. Bush, Governor Bill Clinton and businessman Ross Perot. Jim Lehrer moderated the debate with Sander Vanocur, Ann Compton and John Mashek as panelists.

Questions were divided between foreign and domestic policy. It was the first time three candidates shared a single stage in a televised debate.[4] A poll conducted by CNN/USA TODAY on Oct. 11 1992 found that of those watching, 47 percent rated Perot the winner, 30 percent voted Clinton and 16 percent voted Bush.[5] The format decided was:

• No opening statements
• each candidate questioned in turn with two minutes to respond
• one minute rebuttal by other candidates
• two minute closing statements.

Second Presidential debate
Date(s)	October 15, 1992 (1992-10-15)
Duration	90 minutes
Venue	University of Richmond
Location	Richmond, Virginia
Participants	George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton Ross Perot
Moderator(s)	Carole Simpson

The second presidential debate was held at University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia on Thursday, October 15, 1992 between President George H. W. Bush, Governor Bill Clinton and businessman Ross Perot. Carole Simpson moderated the debate with 109 uncommitted voters as questioners. Questions were focused primarily on domestic issues and the economy, although no subject was restricted.

Clinton emerged out as the winner of the second debate leading over both Bush and Perot. Poll conducted by CNN/USA TODAY from Oct. 16-18, showed 58 percent calling Clinton the winner, 16 percent said Bush won and 15 percent said Perot.[5] The format decided was:

• Town hall meeting[8]
• two minute closing statements.

Bush was seen on national camera checking his watch while being asked about the effect of the national debt on him personally.[9] In a 1999 Interview by Jim Lehrer, on being asked what he was thinking as he checked his wristwatch, he replied:

I took a huge hit. That's another thing I don't like debates, you look at your watch and they say that he hasn’t any business running for president. He's bored and he's out of this thing, he's not with it and we need change. They took a little incident like that to show that I was, you know, out of it. They made a huge thing out of that. Now, was I glad when the damn thing was over? Yeah, and maybe that's why I was looking at it, only 10 more minutes of this crap, I mean. [Jim laughs] Go ahead and use it. I'm a free spirit now. [10]

Third Presidential debate
Date(s)	October 19, 1992 (1992-10-19)
Duration	90 minutes
Venue	Michigan State University
Location	East Lansing, Michigan
Participants	George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton Ross Perot
Moderator(s)	Jim Lehrer

The third presidential debate was held at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan on Monday, October 19, 1992 between President George H. W. Bush, Governor Bill Clinton and businessman Ross Perot. Jim Lehrer moderated the debate with Gene Gibbons, Helen Thomas and Susan Rook as panelists. The format decided was:

First half:

• single moderator with option of follow-ups

• roughly two minutes to answer
• one minute rebuttal.

Second half:

• panelists posed questions in turn with no follow-ups
• Two minute closing statements.

Poll conducted by CNN/USA TODAY after the third debate found that viewers thought Perot had won. Opinions, however, were tied between Clinton's and Bush's performances; 28 percent thought Clinton had done the best job, 28 percent Bush, and 37 percent said Perot.[5]

1992 Vice-Presidential debate

October 13, 1992

Nominee Dan Quayle Al Gore James Stockdale Party Republican Democratic Independent Home state Indiana Tennessee California

The vice presidential debate was held at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 13, 1992 between Vice president Dan Quayle, Senator Al Gore and Ret. Vice Admiral James Stockdale. Jim Lehrer moderated the debate with Gene Gibbons, Helen Thomas and Susan Rook as panelists. The format decided was:

• two minute opening statements
• issue presented to candidates with one minute
• 15 seconds to respond
• five minute discussion period about same topic followed
• two minute closing statements.

• Bill Clinton 1992 presidential campaign
• George H. W. Bush 1992 presidential campaign
• Ross Perot 1992 presidential campaign
• 1992 United States presidential election

• Video at C-SPAN
• Transcript at the Presidency Project