The Kennedy-Nixon presidential election of 1960 made history with “The Great Debates”, the first ever televised presidential debates. The election’s outcome was greatly affected by these debates. This was one of the most important elections in American history because, for the first time, candidates were being judged not only on their ideas and opinions, but also on their physical appearance and ability to perform on live television (History.com Staff). This new form of media greatly affected voters’ opinions and final decision.
John F. Kennedy, the democratic candidate, was senator from Massachusetts and had only served for one term. He was the first Catholic to run for president on a major party ticket (History.com Staff). Richard Nixon, …show more content…
The most important topics discussed in this debate were the Cold War civil rights in the south. When asked whether we are doing as well as we should be in the cold war, Nixon first says that we will never be doing as well as we should be in the cold war. Then he says that we are doing very well, despite other opinions. American prestige is as high as it has ever been and Communist prestige is very low. He also states that when the United Nations voted on the Congo, there were seventy votes for our position and none for the communist point of view. He argues that Congress has cut a lot of funds for programs including cutting two billion from defense. Finally, he says, “I 'm not satisfied with what we 're doing in the cold war because I believe we have to step up our activities and launch an offensive for the minds and hearts and souls of men,” (October 7, 1960 Debate Transcript). Kennedy argues that Congress has tried to give more money to defense. He also says that the United States has not held it’s position or prestige in the United Nations. A poll was taken in nine countries asking people who they thought would be ahead militarily and scientifically by 1970 and eight out of nine of those countries thought it would be the Soviet Union.He says, “the relative strength of the so- of United States compared to that of the Soviet Union and …show more content…
Most people who listened to radio thought that in the first debate Nixon won or it was a tie. However, many people who watched the debates believed that Kennedy won because of his appearance in comparison to Nixon. At the time, about 88% of homes had a television making radio listeners the minority (Webley). An estimated 70 million people, a record number, watched the first debate. Even though there weren’t a lot of channels, the debate audience was 20% larger than for regularly scheduled programs (Baughman). Even though the candidates were almost evenly matched in content, Kennedy looked better on camera and was a better actor than Nixon. Kennedy looked healthy, calm and prepared. He looked at the camera to address the public directly. Nixon looked sickly and weak. He also appeared to be avoiding the public by not looking at the camera all the time, however, he was actually addressing the different reporters (History.com
John F. Kennedy, the democratic candidate, was senator from Massachusetts and had only served for one term. He was the first Catholic to run for president on a major party ticket (History.com Staff). Richard Nixon, …show more content…
The most important topics discussed in this debate were the Cold War civil rights in the south. When asked whether we are doing as well as we should be in the cold war, Nixon first says that we will never be doing as well as we should be in the cold war. Then he says that we are doing very well, despite other opinions. American prestige is as high as it has ever been and Communist prestige is very low. He also states that when the United Nations voted on the Congo, there were seventy votes for our position and none for the communist point of view. He argues that Congress has cut a lot of funds for programs including cutting two billion from defense. Finally, he says, “I 'm not satisfied with what we 're doing in the cold war because I believe we have to step up our activities and launch an offensive for the minds and hearts and souls of men,” (October 7, 1960 Debate Transcript). Kennedy argues that Congress has tried to give more money to defense. He also says that the United States has not held it’s position or prestige in the United Nations. A poll was taken in nine countries asking people who they thought would be ahead militarily and scientifically by 1970 and eight out of nine of those countries thought it would be the Soviet Union.He says, “the relative strength of the so- of United States compared to that of the Soviet Union and …show more content…
Most people who listened to radio thought that in the first debate Nixon won or it was a tie. However, many people who watched the debates believed that Kennedy won because of his appearance in comparison to Nixon. At the time, about 88% of homes had a television making radio listeners the minority (Webley). An estimated 70 million people, a record number, watched the first debate. Even though there weren’t a lot of channels, the debate audience was 20% larger than for regularly scheduled programs (Baughman). Even though the candidates were almost evenly matched in content, Kennedy looked better on camera and was a better actor than Nixon. Kennedy looked healthy, calm and prepared. He looked at the camera to address the public directly. Nixon looked sickly and weak. He also appeared to be avoiding the public by not looking at the camera all the time, however, he was actually addressing the different reporters (History.com