Reagan and the Age Issue
https://archives.nbclearn.com/portal/site/k-12/browse/?cuecard=4669
General Information
Source:
Creator:
Event Date:
Air/Publish Date:
NBC Today Show
John Palmer/Andrea
Mitchell
10/22/1984
10/22/1984
Resource Type:
Copyright:
Copyright Date:
Clip Length
Video News Report
NBCUniversal Media,
LLC.
1984
00:01:43
Description
In a 1984 debate with Walter Mondale, Ronald Reagan successfully diffuses the issue of his advancing
age. He quips, "I will not make age an issue in this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political
purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience."
Keywords
Presidential Debates, Walter Mondale, Ronald Reagan, Age, Humor, 1984 Presidential Election,
Campaigns, Terrorists, National Defense
Citation
MLA
"Reagan and the Age Issue." Andrea Mitchell, correspondent. NBC Today Show. NBCUniversal Media.
© 2008-2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Page 1 of 3
22 Oct. 1984. NBC Learn. Web. 26 March 2015
APA
Mitchell, A. (Reporter), & Palmer, J. (Anchor). 1984, October 22. Reagan and the Age Issue. [Television
series episode]. NBC Today Show. Retrieved from https://archives.nbclearn.com/portal/site/k12/browse/?cuecard=4669
CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE
"Reagan and the Age Issue" NBC Today Show, New York, NY: NBC Universal, 10/22/1984. Accessed
Thu Mar 26 2015 from NBC Learn: https://archives.nbclearn.com/portal/site/k-12/browse/?cuecard=4669
Transcript
Reagan and the Age Issue
JOHN PALMER, anchor:
Andrea Mitchell is standing by live this morning in Kansas City with a report from the Reagan campaign.
Good morning, Andrea.
ANDREA MITCHELL, reporting:
Good morning, John. Well, the president’s men think that at worst the debate was a draw and at the very
best the polls will eventually show that the president did win. Although the debate was a debate on foreign
policy, the Reagan camp was most relieved because they think the president finally put to rest the issue of
age.
President RONALD REAGAN, Republican Presidential Candidate: I will not make age an issue of this
campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.
MITCHELL: Mr. Reagan made the points he wanted to about Walter Mondale’s defense record.
Pres. REAGAN: He was against the F-14 fighter, he was against the M-1 tank, he was against the B-1
bomber, and he has a record of weakness with regard to our national defense that is second to none.
MITCHELL: There were mistakes: a reference the CIA being in Nicaragua instead of El Salvador, a
denial that he ever suggested submarine launched missiles could be called back, although the president did
leave that impression at a 1982 news conference. And he seemed to duck responsibility for the bombing in
Beirut.
Pres. REAGAN: Mr. Mondale should know that the president of the United States did not order the
marines into that barracks and the other things that you’ve just said about the terrorists, I’m tempted to ask
you what you would do.
MITCHELL: In the closing statement, the president rambled and ran out of time.
Pres. REAGAN: We have met your sons and daughters...
MODERATOR: Mr. President, I am obliged to cut you off there under the rules of the debate.
MITCHELL: But the president’s aides say that Mondale did not score the knockout that he needed, so
they leave today for the last two weeks of campaigning more confident then ever that the challenger will
© 2008-2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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not be able to catch up.
© 2008-2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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