The last 100 days of presidential campaigns

As the 2012 presidential race enters the home stretch, here are some key events that have influenced past campaigns in the final 100 days.

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Nixon-Kennedy debate

The first ever televised presidential debate is widely credited as a turning point in the 1960 election. Many television viewers thought Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.), seated left, well-tanned after a month of campaigning in California, won the Sept. 26 debate against Vice President Richard M. Nixon, seated far right, who appeared pale and gaunt after recently being hospitalized. However, many Americans who tuned in to the radio broadcast believed Nixon had triumphed.

/ CBS via AP

"Daisy" ad

Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) lost the 1964 presidential election in a landslide to President Lyndon B. Johnson. On Sept. 7, the Johnson campaign aired "Daisy," one of the most controversial campaign ads in history, in which a young girl picks petals from a flower as a countdown precedes a nuclear explosion. The ad, which alluded to Goldwater's comments about the possibility of using nuclear weapons in Vietnam, aired only once but is viewed as a key moment in the race.

/ AP

Halt of North Vietnam bombings

After bowing out of the 1968 contest, President Lyndon B. Johnson on Oct. 31 — less than one week before Election Day — announced a halt to the U.S. bombing of North Vietnam. Despite the move, Nixon, once again the Republican nominee, eked out a victory over Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

/ The White House via AP

Eagleton withdrawal

On July 31, 1972, Sen. George McGovern (D-S.D.), left, announced the withdrawal of Sen. Thomas Eagleton (D-Mo.) as the vice presidential candidate following revelations that Eagleton had received psychiatric treatment, including electroshock therapy. In November, Nixon trounced McGovern, who carried only Massachusetts and D.C.

/ AP

Dole's "Democrat wars" gaffe

After failing to prepare ahead of the first-ever vice presidential debate in Oct. 25, 1976, Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.), right, committed what was viewed as a major gaffe when he attributed all of the U.S. wars of the 20th century to Democrats. "It is an appropriate topic, I guess," Dole said in response to a question about President Gerald Ford's pardoning of Nixon. "But it's not a very good issue. Anymore than the war in Vietnam would be, or World War II or World War I or the war in Korea. All Democrat wars." Sen. Walter Mondale (D-Minn.), left, responded by questioning whether Dole thought fighting Nazi Germany was a partisan issue.

/ AP

Anderson's exclusion

President Jimmy Carter sat out the first of three presidential debates sponsored by the League of Women Voters because of the inclusion of independent candidate John Anderson. After the second debate was canceled, former California governor Ronald Reagan, the Republican candidate, agreed to exclude the Illinois congressman from the third debate. However, Anderson (pictured) was allowed to answer all of the questions asked of the two major-party candidates remotely from Washington's Constitution Hall, allowing cable companies to include him in the broadcast.

Barry Thumma / AP

"Who am I? Why am I here?"

Vice Adm. James Stockdale, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam and Medal of Honor recipient, was the subject of ridicule following his lackluster performance in the 1992 vice presidential debate as Ross Perot's running mate in his bid for the presidency as an independent. Stockdale’s opening remark, "Who am I? Why am I here?" became fodder for a Saturday Night Live sketch.

Greg Gibson / AP

Swift Boat ads

Sen. John H. Kerry (D-Mass.) in August 2004 asked the Federal Election Commission to force the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth to stop running television ads that questioned the Democratic presidential nominee's military service record. Kerry accused President George W. Bush's reelection campaign of illegally helping coordinate the attack ads. The ad campaign, which spawned the term "swift boating," was seen as very effective in damaging Kerry's candidacy.

/ Reuters

Palin selection

On Aug. 29, 2008, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) named the relatively unknown Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to join the ticket as the GOP vice presidential nominee. While Palin instantly became wildly popular with the Republican base, a series of gaffes in television interviews led many across the political spectrum to question her readiness for the office.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Many seminary graduates are choosing not to become pastors. Rebecca J. Cole received her Master of Divinity and is becoming a community organizer on Capitol Hill. She hugs another graduate after the ceremony. The 2013 Commencement ceremony for Wesley Theological Seminary was held on May 13 at the Washington National Cathedral. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Eager to minister, but not from the pulpit

An increasing number of divinity students who don’t plan to become pastors envision using their degrees to “minister” in a...

ARLINGTON, VA- MAY 17: Thousands of bike enthusiasts took to the streets Friday, May 17, 2013 in celebration of Bike to Work day. Bikers leave the Rosslyn Gateway Park pit stop on Friday morning. Commuter Connections and The Washington Area Bicyclist Association hosted cyclists at 70 pit stops across the metropolitan region. (Photo by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

Thousands participate in Bike to Work Day

More than 14,000 people registered for the area's annual celebration of commuting on two wheels.

epa03704474 A Muslim woman at the ThetKalPyin temporary relief camp near Sittwe in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, 17 May 2013. A total of 13 people were confirmed dead in neighboring Bangladesh as people began to return home from shelters, a day after Cyclone Mahasen hit the coast, officials said 17 May. EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING

Photos of the day

Cyclone Mahasen, Texas tornadoes, puffin census, melting Swiss glacier and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 16: American Idol Season 12 Winner Candice Glover (C) is seen onstage during Fox's 'American Idol 2013' Finale Results Show at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Candice Glover wins 12th season of ‘American Idol’

The 23-year-old vocal powerhouse from St. Helena Island, S.C., tops competition in her third try.

US actress Claire Julien smiles on May 16, 2013 while posing during a photocall for the film 'The Bling Ring' at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. Cannes, one of the world's top film festivals, opened on May 15 and will climax on May 26 with awards selected by a jury headed this year by Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Claire Julien, David Hasselhoff, Freida Pinto, Candice Glover, Martin Short and more.

**LOC IMAGE** Geo. Hamilton, Assistant Superintendent, Cambria Iron Mills house, Johnstown Flood, May 31st, 1889. (Photo by Ernest Walter Histed / Library of Congress)

The Johnstown Flood of 1889

On May 31, 1889, the South Fork dam that held Lake Conemaugh failed, and 20 million tons of water descended upon Johnstown, Pa. The flood claimed the lives of 2,209 people and spurred...

HACIPASA, TURKEY - MAY 5: Syrian refugee Hala ponders her life on the run on Sunday, May 5, 2013, in Hacipasa, Turkey. Three times this morning, the sounds of aircrafts were followed by explosions that shook the ground. Hacipasa, which sits just across the river border from Syria, is home of several hundred Syrian refugees who have been displaced by their home country's conflict. For a year, Hala and her family have been displaced from their home village in Syria because of violent conflict. After bouncing from village to village, fleeing bombings that seemed to follow them, the family crossed into Turkey six weeks ago. Initially, the family was deported back into Syria, where they lived in camps for internally displaced Syrians. But when the camps were bombed, the family was allowed to cross into Turkey. Hala said, 'The blood of the people who died in Syria, the martyrs, is our sad song, but nobody is listening.' (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Turkey faces a refugee crisis

More than 400,000 Syrians have crossed into Turkey seeking refuge from the conflict at home. Finding its resources stretched, Turkey is urgently appealing for international aid and...

(FILES) In this file picture taken on January 31, 2013 British football player David Beckham poses presenting his new jersey after a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. David Beckham is to retire from professional football at the end of the season, his representative announced on May 16, 2013. The 38-year-old midfielder has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan, as well as winning 115 caps for England, and recently won the French Ligue 1 championship with Paris Saint-Germain. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFEFRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

David Beckham announces his retirement

The 38-year-old British soccer superstar says he will retire when his French team’s season ends May 26.

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