David GergenI first learned that lesson in 1980 when Ronald Reagan was the Republican nominee. Reagan ambled in, seemingly without a care, and was promptly mauled by Stockman, who unloaded reams of statistics and arguments. When Reagan got into the ring with Anderson, it was no contest. Anderson wasn't nearly as good as his stand-in, and questions from the moderator were easier than those from the mock debates. Reagan had won the debate before he even got in the ring.

Source: CNN September 20, 2020 22:18 UTC