Mondale kicked Reagan's ass in the debate in 1984

[JI7]

i was watching a cspan replay of the reagan/mondale 1984 debate. i think it was the last(third) debate they had and it has been said that mondale won both of those earlier ones.

but even in this last one mondale was on point, he came off as someone who knows what he is talking about, someone who is quick in his answers without making mistakes. he did a great job defending himself against reagan's criticisms.

and reagan was NOT charismatic. the great communicator ? mondale came off much better. reagan seemed slow, out of it, and weak. but this was the debate where he gave that one liner when asked about whether he was too old and he responded by saying he will not exploit his opponents youth and inexperience. the line was good. but it just amazes me that line alone turned things onto his side. it must have been the media replays of just that part over and over again which did it. because within the context of the entire debate it was one small moment. it's not like it was a turning point in the debate when he started to do well either. he sucked after that line also.

can those who were old enough to remember this campaign describe it a bit more.how did the media react to the debates ? i was about 5 years old then so wasn't paying much attention back then.