1984 Vice Presidential Debate

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There was only one Vice Presidential Debate between Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro and Vice President George H.W. Bush, the 1984 Vice Presidential candidates, which was proclaimed mostly neutral by the press. The debate was the first to feature a woman and was the only Vice Presidential debate in the race, seen as a "do or die" chance of the candidates. It was moderated by Sander Vanocur.

1 The Debate
2 Aftermath
- 2.1 Reaction
3 References

[edit] The Debate

[edit] Ferraro's Experience

Ferraro handled a question about her experience at the debate, after being asked how her three House terms stacked up with Bush's two House terms, career as an ambassador to China and the United Nations, Director of Central Intelligence and four years as Vice President.

[edit] Views on Abortion

As a Catholic, Ferraro came under fire from the Roman Catholic Church for being pro-choice on abortion, a position in conflict with Catholic moral doctrine.^[1] She strongly defended her position at the debate, which earned her rapturous applause and even admiration from her opponent. Bush was attacked for his change in views since 1980, his transition from pro-choice to pro-life.^[2]

[edit] Diplomatic Mission in Nicaragua

Congresswoman Ferraro took a trip to Nicaragua and El Salvador in January 1984, when she had time to speak to the contras, and blamed the situation in Central America on the policies of the Reagan Administration. Said Rep. Ferraro at the Vice Presidential Debate, ^[3]

[edit] Voting Rights Act

When Ferraro criticized Reagan's actions of refusing to support, and later signing, the Voting Rights Act the moderator, Sander Vancour, cut her off in order to please ask the enthusiasticly applauding audience to calm down.

[edit] Barbara Bush Incident

When asked what she thought of Ferraro, Barbara Bush said she could not say on television, other than that it rhymes with "rich"^[4]. Later that evening Mrs. Bush called Ferraro to apologize for allegedly calling her a "witch". Ferraro mentioned this in an article she wrote about Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in a December 25, 2006 – January 1, 2007 issue of Newsweek Magazine, where she terms Bush's words as protecting her husband. Barbara had said this after an open microphone had caught George H.W. Bush bragging that he had "kicked a little ass" following a debate the press named mostly neutral.

[edit] Aftermath

[edit] Reaction

The newspapers, television, and other media proclaimed the debate mostly neutral. Some media, however, either declared Bush or Ferraro the winner. The debaters were praised, both, for their ablility to debate.