This paper provides an overview of the general types of evidence used by Ford and Carter in the first presidential campaign debate of 1976. This evidence is analyzed in relation to the key debate subtopics, and some standard tests of evidence are employed regarding accuracy and reliability. The types of evidence considered are statistics, illustration, authority, and analogy (or comparison). Analysis revealed that (1) Carter used 961 more words than did Ford in the first debate; (2) Ford employed statistical evidence in 41 instances compared to 24 statistical citations made by Carter; (3) Carter used illustrative evidence 59 times compared to Ford's 28 times; (4) Carter made 10 references to authority, while Ford made 5; (5) Carter used comparison 6 times, and Ford used it only twice. Evidence was tested and considered by operational definition, and tests of substance, consistency, sufficiency, recency, and relevancy were also applied to the evidence. It is suggested that Carter may have been more "effective" and "accurate" than Ford was in the first debate although, according to national surveys and opinion polls, Ford won the debate. (LL)