The two major party vice presidential candidates and the running mate of independent presidential candidate Ross Perot participated in the only scheduled 1992 vice presidential debate. The debate was moderated by Hal Bruno, and was conducted in a discussion format where the candidates' responses to questions were followed by discussion periods where the candidates could directly address one another. The three men stood at separate podia during the debate, and afterwards shook hands and greeted members of their families.
The debate featured sharp exchanges between Vice President Quayle and Senator Gore on the performance of the Bush administration and the character of Democratic presidential nominee Governor Bill Clinton. Admiral Stockdale, stating that he felt “like an observer at a ping-pong game,” interjected comments between the major candidates' remarks on issues including defense policy, the environment, and taxation.