Looking Back (to Debate 1) and Forward (to VP Debate)

William Benoit provides an empirical analysis of the statements made in the debate and comparative statics on past VP debates, in which he notes: “Content analysis reveals that most of the statements in this debate were positive (53%), followed by attacks (39%) and defenses (9%). Historically, in 1960 and 1976-2004, presidential debates are similar in tone….”