"I am paying for this microphone"

 

This is an amusing article by Boston.com - it goes through the most memorable Presidential debate moments.  

Did you know that the first televised presidential debate that took place in Chicago on Sept. 26, 1960?  It had an audience of 80 million and was between Vice President Richard Nixon and, Senator John F. Kennedy.

The moment that I found interesting was in a 1980 Republican New Hampshire primary debate where the moderator tried to prevent Reagan from making an opening announcement by asking that his mike be turned off.  Regan replied by saying "I am paying for this microphone!"

Are candidates allowed to finance a debate today?  It seems like conflict of interests.