Source:CBS News– U.S. Representative John Anderson (Republican, Illinois) 1980 Independent presidential candidate.

Source:The New Democrat

“In 1980, the League of Women Voters invited independent John Anderson to their first presidential debate, and President Carter refused to attend. Ronald Reagan showed up and the result was one of the most unique debates in modern times, preceding the Perot inclusion by 12 years.”

From Samuel Wilson

It seems strange to me that President Jimmy Carter would turn down a chance to debate Ronald Reagan in 1980. Even with a third-party candidate like Representative John Anderson in the debate. Because Jimmy Carter was the underdog in this race even though the polls were close for most of the election. But also with the situation of the country with the economy and the Iranian hostage situation with all of those Americans being held hostage in Iran and Russia on the march in Central Asia.

President Carter was the underdog in this election simply because of the situation of the country under his watch. And the fact that millions of Americans were looking for new leadership and taking a long look at Ron Reagan and perhaps even Representative Anderson.

President Carter needed to take advantage of every opportunity that he had to convince Americans that he deserved another opportunity as President similar to George Bush in 1992 and he didn’t take that shot.