Either JFK or, I think it was RFK, debated Reagan once . . . and immediately ordered his staff to never allow that again!
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich recalled his most vivid memories of the fortieth president....a 1968 debate between Reagan and Bobby Kennedy.
"Clearly the people expected Reagan to get beaten badly. This was the anti-Vietnam War period. Kennedy represented the left. They were being intervidewed by, I think it was four or eight foreign students. And Reagan was just amazing."
Gingrich continued: "Bobby Kennedy did the debate from Paris. And afterwards he turned to [longtime Kennedy aide] Pierre Salinger and said, 'Never, ever again put me on television with him."