Ten Memorable Debate Moments

Zingers, gaffes and buzzworthy lines from debates past.

Hindsight - If the presidential election were held today, Republican Mitt Romney would best Obama by 49 percent to 45 percent, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll released on Nov, 19. In addition, the president's approval rating fell six points in the past month to a low of 42 percent. (Photos from left: John Gurzinski/Getty Images, Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images)

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Debate Night in Denver - President Obama and Mitt Romney are heading into their first face-to-face meeting in five years. Despite efforts to downplay expectations, each is an experienced debater. Still, political observers wonder, who will have a Rick Perry "oops" moment or deliver a line like Ronald Reagan's "Are you better off?" that set a standard for future presidential contests. Here are some of the most memorable debate moments from the past. —Joyce Jones (Photos from left: John Gurzinski/Getty Images, Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images) 

Tick Tock, Tick Tock - President George H.W. Bush looks at his watch during the 1992 presidential campaign debate with other candidates, Independent Ross Perot, top, and Democrat Bill Clinton, not shown, at the University of Richmond, Va. (Photo: AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)

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Tick Tock, Tick Tock - President George H.W. Bush looks at his watch during the 1992 presidential campaign debate with other candidates, Independent Ross Perot, top, and Democrat Bill Clinton, not shown, at the University of Richmond, Va. (Photo: AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)

Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle, Oct. 5, 1988 - "I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy," Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Lloyd Bentsen told Republican opponent Sen. Dan Quayle. (Photo: AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

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Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle, Oct. 5, 1988 - "I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy," Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Lloyd Bentsen told Republican opponent Sen. Dan Quayle. (Photo: AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Adm. William Stockdale, Oct. 13, 1992 - "Who am I? Why am I here? I'm not a politician," said Adm. William Stockdale, running mate to Ross Perot. (Photo: NBC)

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Adm. William Stockdale, Oct. 13, 1992 - "Who am I? Why am I here? I'm not a politician," said Adm. William Stockdale, running mate to Ross Perot. (Photo: NBC)

Al Gore, Oct. 13, 1992 - "George [H.W.] Bush taking credit for the Berlin Wall coming down is like the rooster taking credit for the sunrise," said Democratic vice presidential nominee Al Gore. (Photo: J. DAVID AKE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Al Gore, Oct. 13, 1992 - "George [H.W.] Bush taking credit for the Berlin Wall coming down is like the rooster taking credit for the sunrise," said Democratic vice presidential nominee Al Gore. (Photo: J. DAVID AKE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Rick Perry - "Oops," said Texas Gov. Rick Perry during a brain freeze about what federal agencies he proposed to eliminate. (Photo: CNBC)

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Rick Perry - "Oops," said Texas Gov. Rick Perry during a brain freeze about what federal agencies he proposed to eliminate. (Photo: CNBC)

Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, Oct. 28, 1980 - "Ask yourself, 'Are you better off now than you were four years ago? Is it easier for you to go and buy things in the stores than it was four years ago? Is there more or less unemployment in the country than there was four years ago?" Republican challenger Ronald Reagan asked President Jimmy Carter. (Photo: AP)

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Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, Oct. 28, 1980 - "Ask yourself, 'Are you better off now than you were four years ago? Is it easier for you to go and buy things in the stores than it was four years ago? Is there more or less unemployment in the country than there was four years ago?" Republican challenger Ronald Reagan asked President Jimmy Carter. (Photo: AP)

Mitt Romney - "I'm running for office, for Pete's sake, I can't have illegals working for me," said Mitt Romney at a Republican primary debate in October 2011. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Mitt Romney, Dec. 11, 2011 - "I'm running for office for Pete's sake, we can't have illegals," said Mitt Romney of his reaction when he learned that there were illegal immigrants working for a lawn-service firm he'd hired and ultimately fired. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Rick Perry and Mitt Romney, Oct. 18, 2011 - "Rick, I’ll tell you what, 10,000 bucks? $10,000 bet?” said Romney, challenging Perry to a wager about whether the former Massachusetts governor ever supported an individual health care mandate. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Rick Perry and Mitt Romney, Oct. 18, 2011 - "Rick, I’ll tell you what, 10,000 bucks? $10,000 bet?” said Romney, challenging Perry to a wager about whether the former Massachusetts governor ever supported an individual health care mandate. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Jan. 6, 2008 - "You're likeable enough, Hillary," said Obama, prompting criticisms that he'd been arrogant and condescending. (Photo: CNN)

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Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Jan. 6, 2008 - "You're likeable enough, Hillary," said Obama, prompting criticisms that he'd been arrogant and condescending. (Photo: CNN)

John McCain, Oct. 7, 2008 - Republican presidential nominee John McCain disparagingly referred to Obama as "that one," which some people considered to be disrespectful. (Photo: NBC)

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John McCain, Oct. 7, 2008 - Republican presidential nominee John McCain disparagingly referred to Obama as "that one," which some people considered to be disrespectful. (Photo: NBC)