The BEST episodes of Race for the White House season 1

Every episode of Race for the White House season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Race for the White House season 1!

From executive producers Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti, CNN Original Series "Race for the White House" captures the drama of how a high-stakes presidential election can turn on a single issue and so much more.

Last Updated: 12/8/2025Network: CNNStatus: Ended

7.74

27 votes

#1 - Abraham Lincoln vs. Stephen A. Douglas

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/13/2016

Lincoln's oratory and underhanded tactics gave him the chance to beat Stephen Douglas, one of the most formidable politicians of his generation.

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7.69

26 votes

#2 - Andrew Jackson vs. John Quincy Adams

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/3/2016

After losing the election of 1824 to John Adams, General Andrew Jackson comes back with a vicious, vile and personal attack campaign to win the 1828 election.

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7.65

31 votes

#3 - Bill Clinton vs. George H.W. Bush

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/10/2016

Bill Clinton fights back against a tarnished image as adulterer and draft dodger to win the presidency.

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7.63

43 votes

#4 - John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/6/2016

John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon have the first televised presidential debate; one where presentation made as much of an impact as message, and may have cost Nixon the election.

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7.61

23 votes

#5 - George H.W. Bush vs. Michael Dukakis

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/20/2016

Vice President Bush deals with the scandal of Iran Contra while campaigning against Michael Dukakis with television attack ads that would sink the Democrat's presidential chances.

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7.33

18 votes

#6 - Harry Truman vs. Thomas Dewey

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/27/2016

Harry Truman travels by train across America, in a race against time to win the presidency, as he falls in the polls while leading an unpopular, divided party against Thomas Dewey.

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