The Biden-Trump debate, a first in Atlanta

Atlanta also hosted Democratic presidential debates in 1984 and 1992. The GOP candidates were here in 1988, in a debate sponsored by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and held at the Georgia World Congress Center. Another Republican debate in March 1996 at the WSB-TV studios was missing Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, who would become the party’s nominee that year.

The 2019 Democratic debate took place in Atlanta after lobbying by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. And he landed at Tyler Perry Studios, eschewing the suburbs for the recently opened $250 million complex near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The other venue vying for the event was the newly opened Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, once solid Republican territory that has become increasingly competitive.

The 1992 vice presidential debate in Atlanta was one of the most memorable of all time, at least for those held for vice presidential candidates.

Incumbent Republican Dan Quayle and Democrat Al Gore argued and interrupted each other as the audience whistled.

And when independent James Stockdale, who was H. Ross Perot’s running mate, was asked to make an opening statement, the retired Navy vice admiral responded: “Who am I?” -I ? Why am I here?” But Stockdale also made a telling comment about the feuds between Gore and Quayle: “I think America understands right now why this nation is in a bind.”

The debate took place at Georgia Tech a few weeks before Bill Clinton’s victory over incumbent President George Bush.

Clinton appeared in a debate in Atlanta that same year. The debate, sponsored by the AJC and WSB-TV, took place at the Carter Center just before the Georgia presidential primary, which Clinton won. Clinton appeared on stage with Jerry Brown and Paul Tsongas. Bob Kerrey joined us via satellite.

Credit: AP

Credit: AP