"I do not know what has happened to it."
"I can't hear them either."
"It's the same everywhere, so you needn't change channels looking for it."
"It's still out, right?"
40 years ago today on Sept. 23, 1976, one of the biggest screw-ups in presidential election debate history occurred. Eight minutes from the conclusion of the first televised face-off between Pres. Gerald Ford and Gov. Jimmy Carter, the sound failed, leaving both candidates standing awkwardly at their podiums for 27 minutes. The problem was the failure of a capacitor in the amplifier system, and both candidates really should've done something more constructive with their time like flying paper airplanes or shooting spitwads at each other. Here's NBC's coverage of the event, featuring the following landmark quotes in broadcast journalism history: "It is not a conspiracy against Governor Carter or President Ford." "I do not know what has happened to it." "I can't hear them either." "It's the same everywhere, so you needn't change channels looking for it." "It's still out, right?" What are those beeps heard at :45? Is that R2-D2? Was he working at NBC in '76 before hitting it big the next year?
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