In 1996, the following six candidates achieved ballot access in enough states to mathematically win the election via the Electoral College: Unlike in 1992, Ross Perot was excluded from the debates in the 1996 campaign.

As a result, only their running mates Jack Kemp and Al Gore met the criteria for the vice presidential debate.

However, Clinton's campaign objected to the date, noting it was one day after he was set to address the United Nations, and argued that it left him without sufficient time to prepare.

[3][4] The first presidential debate between President Bill Clinton and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole took place on Sunday, October 6, 1996, in the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, Connecticut The debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS' The NewsHour, who posed the questions for each candidate.

The town hall style debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS' The NewsHour with featuring the questions asked by members of the audience.