'SNL' Debates: Every Showdown From Carter To Romney (VIDEO)

Posted: 10/03/2012 1:32 pm EDT Updated: 10/03/2012 1:32 pm EDT

NBC

Tonight marks the first real presidential debate in four years, even though it may seem like we've been in a state of perpetual debating for the last year or so. But let's face it: Is there any reason for a presidential debate other than to see how "Saturday Night Live" will spoof it the following weekend?

We've compiled every "SNL" debate available online, going all the way back to the Gerald Ford/Jimmy Carter debate parodies from the first season that helped put the show on the map.

Also, Bill Murray played Ted Kennedy once. That was a thing.



Saturday Night Live Debates





Chevy Chase as Gerald Ford: "It was my understanding that there would be no math."
We all want to read "Transsexuals In Politics."
Ford "enjoys swimming, football, and inexplicably sending men into Cambodia."
George Bush (Jim Downey) and Ted Kennedy (Bill Murray) hold a "consolation debate" to see who gets the bronze medal.
Dana Carvey as George H.W. Bush: "On track. Stay the course. A thousand points of light. Stay the course." Jon Lovitz as Michael Dukakis: "I can't believe I'm losing to this guy."
Jerry Brown (Dana Carvey) and Bill Clinton (Phil Hartman) decide what and what not to talk about during the Democratic debate.
Watch Dana Carvey pull double duty playing both George Bush and Ross Perot.
The only animated "SNL" debate gets the TV Funhouse treatment and uses the real audio from the Clinton/Dole match-up.
Harkening the new era of "SNL" political comedy were the Bush/Gore debate. "Lock box" and "strategery" became instant catchphrases.
Undecided voters, what are we going to do with them?
Bush (Will Forte) some times has to work Saturdays, "if that's what it takes."
John Kerry (Seth Meyers) zings Bush by calling him not the Commander in Chief, but rather "Meandering Thief." Oh, goodness.
We really enjoyed the "World Literature" debate, the "Sports Trivia" one was a little hard to follow.
"SNL" took on the widespread perception that the press was in the tank for Obama during the Democratic primary.
Here's some classic Amy Poehler as Hillary. In this one, Brian Williams tells Sen. Clinton, "Excuse me, we'll ask the questions here, sister."
"McCain Proposal: Candidates Suspend Campaign, Stage Three Nude Town Hall Meetings."
Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Jason Sudeikis as Joe Biden is a match-up made in comedy heaven.
McCain (Darrell Hammond) has a lot of trouble remembering names.
William Murray has an important question. However, everyone needs to pay attention to time.
Joe The Plumber humor ensues. Don't worry, he has a magical plumber that could maybe fix America (who may or may not be imaginary).
"SNL" couldn't wait to pump out debate sketches as soon as the GOP started chomping at the bit to beat Obama.
Alec Baldwin as Rick Perry! Yes, please. Perry says, "Rick Perry only listens to two people, Jesus Christ and Rachel Maddow."
Ron Paul might actually still be in that parking garage somewhere.
We wish Rick Perry were still in the race just to see Bill Hader's impression.