Julian Zelizer : Vice presidential debates do n't usually affect results of elections . He says they only have an outsized influence on some of the candidates . Zelizer : In 1988 , Sen. Lloyd Bentsen , running with Michael Dukakis , picked apart Sen. Dan Quayle . Debates are harmful to Clinton , Edwards , Obama and McCain .
Julian Zelizer : Vice presidential debates do n't usually affect results of elections . He says they only have an outsized influence on some of the candidates . Zelizer : Debates are harmful to Clinton , Edwards , Obama and McCain .