"I Am Paying For This Microphone!"

Ronald Reagan's oft-quoted 1980 debate zinger, "I am paying for this microphone," became almost as instantly quotable as Charlie Sheen's "winning" rant last week. However, few remember what that declaration actually meant in the context of that Republican Primary Debate. 

 

After Reagan's then-rival George Herbert Walker Bush edged him out by 2% in the Iowa caucuses, many pols saw the nomination battle as a two man race. A month later, the Nashua Telegraph newspaper set up a debate between Reagan and Bush exclusively, the only one that would exclude four of the six candidates, and it would be held only three days before the New Hampshire Primary. The Telegraph's plans almost fell through when the FEC cited that the format was unfair and declined to pay for the event, but the Reagan campaign volunteered to pick up the cost. 

 

Reagan and Bush had the most to gain from a two-man debate, since a strong performance could propel either of them to a New Hampshire Victory. Reagan especially needed the edge, as he was down 4%, at 33% to Bush's 37%. However the morning of the debate, Reagan unexpectedly began to lobby the Nashua Telegraph and George Bush on behalf of the excluded candidates, insisting that they be allowed to participate. When his 11th hour effort was rebuffed, Reagan pulled a stunt that would go down in history. 

 

Appearing on set with the excluded candidates in tow (Bob Dole, Howard Baker, John Anderson and Philip Crane), Reagan angrily insisted that the other candidates be included and proceeded to create a spectacle of his indignation. When the moderator refused to give in to his request and tried to proceed as originally planned, Reagan only acted out more. The moderator, having had enough, then asked to have Reagan's microphone cut off, at which point the candidate famously responded, "I am paying for this microphone Mr. Green!" 

 

Another little known fact: the line Reagan used was actually borrowed from the movie The State of the Union with Spencer Tracy -- despite being criticized for his age, the former actor had the ability to quickly recall famous movie quotes, always in asset in any field or occupation. 

 

Whether Reagan was feigning indignation or not, the tactic clearly paid off as the debate was largely overshadowed by the confrontation. Reagan showed leadership ability and a willingness to help the underdog and Bush was one-upped, appearing petty for supporting two-man-only contest. Bush later claimed to have been "set up" by Reagan's campaign. Probably so, but that's politics...

 

1988 Presidential Debate: The "Kitty Dukakis" Question

Democratic Presidential Candidate Michael Dukakis famously stumbled when asked a very personal question about his wife, Kitty Dukakis, during the second 1988 Presidential Debate. Challenging the governor on his opposition to the death penalty, Bernard "Bernie" Shaw asked, "if Kitty Dukakis were raped and murdered, would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer?" Dukakis' unemotional reply didn't seem to acknowledge the gravity of the question and thus the "Kitty Dukakis" question went down in history as a campaign blunder. In this video, The Daily Caller's Tucker Carlson tells the story and former candidate Michael Dukakis explains why he reacted as he did.

George H.W. Bush's WWII Rescue Footage

 

Many know that former President George H. W. Bush was shot down near by Chichi Jima in the Pacific in World War II, but few are aware that there was actual footage of his dramatic rescue by a US submarine. Here, in a US Naval Institute Produced video, you can see the young Lieutenant as he's pulled from his life-raft and brought on board -- at approx 1:00: