Highest Rated Presidential Debates

2) Carter vs Reagan (1980) (2 of 5)

2) Carter vs Reagan (1980) (2 of 5)

The second highest rated presidential debate was between two of American politics’ heavyweight presidents, Carter and Nixon at 58.9%. It was the former who landed the most punches but the latter’s iconic “there you go again” retort had the audience in chuckles. This TV debate was also the highest viewed presidential debate in history with an estimate of 80.6 million viewers turning in to watch the spectacle unfold.