Dwight D. Eisenhower Quotes

Presidential nomination debates have turned into mud wrestling instead of expositions of the candidates’ views.

Look at those Republican [Presidential Primary Nomination] debates. I feel embarrassed as an American when I hear them orate.

Presidential elections are always pocketbook elections.

... tell candidates who desire total control [of debates] that in a democracy elections belong to the voters.

I don't believe the President of the United States should debate with anybody.

Candidates talk about issues that voters want to hear about.

In campaigns we concentrate on the differences [between the candidates.]

The presidential and vice-presidential debates are those rare moments when people come together, but to even call them debates is a stretch because they're played by such negotiated rules, and they're so over-rehearsed.

The presidential race should not be a battle of personalities.

The hardest thing about a presidential election is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.

We don't win or lose elections because of [party] rules.

In the absence of formal written platforms, the antecedents of candidates become their platforms. On just such platforms all our earlier and better Presidents were elected.

It is increasingly difficult to run a campaign of substance in an atmosphere which increasingly focuses on personality.

A candidate challenging an incumbent president has the advantage [in a debate]. The president of the United States is an awesome figure. Merely to share the platform with him on equal terms is to gain in stature: a good performance will be judged even better.

Unfortunately it has come to pass that we choose our Presidents because of their vote-getting qualities in certain doubtful states rather than for their qualifications for the office they are to fill.

Every election is hectic.

Campaigns maybe encourage us to pay attention to attributes that maybe aren't that important in the presidency.

Presidential election campaigns offer a unique opportunity to educate the public and engage in an intelligent dialogue on issues of national importance.

I've watched presidential debates since I was a teen, and I love it.

Influencing voters is the crux of all poll campaigns.

Election campaigns always have to have colour and excitement and interest. People want to know about the details of politicians, what they like doing in their spare time, about their families. I think that's human.

In presidential elections, I think people focus way too much on ideology.

It's fascinating watching the debates [of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump], with the search for the new president. It's like a car crash, unfolding in front of your eyes. The level of personal attacks!

There's no question that many factors contribute to voters' perceptions about debates and who wins and who loses.

It seems that elections today are more popularity than they are substantial issues.