#OTD20 | September 26, 1960
The First Televised Presidential Debate: Kennedy vs. Nixon
September 26, 1960: John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon participate in the first-ever televised presidential debate, forever changing the landscape of American politics.
The debate not only catapults Kennedy into the national spotlight but also sets the precedent for the vital role of television in political campaigning.
In a Chicago studio, the youthful Democratic nominee John F. Kennedy and the experienced Republican Vice President Richard Nixon come face-to-face. Nixon, recovering from a recent illness, appears pale and nervous, while Kennedy looks tanned and confident.
As millions of Americans watch from their living rooms, the candidates spar over domestic issues and foreign policy. The nation is spellbound, and opinion polls immediately reflect a surge in support for Kennedy.
It's clear the medium of television adds a new layer of complexity to political campaigning. Image, charisma, telegenic appeal, and media savvy now become as important as a candidate’s platform and record.
The Nixon-Kennedy debates mark a significant turning point, showing that the medium is, in some ways, the message. Political campaigns would never be the same again.
Viewing Options
The Kennedy-Nixon debate is featured in our standards-based program, "The Sixties," from "America in the 20th Century."
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