Question: What impact do debates have on the outcome of presidential elections? Group of answer choices Modest; the winner of a debate usually receives a consistent, small increase in the polls, which makes a difference in a close election. Infrequent; only when a candidate makes a major gaffe do debates have a big impact on election outcomes. Very little; most debates change the polls little, and even when they do the impact is usually only temporary. Substantial; debates have tipped the balance of a number of presidential elections.