American political and broadcast history was forever changed on September 26, 1960, when Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy participated in the nation’s first-ever televised presidential debate. Held in Chicago and broadcast on CBS, this debate marked a turning point in how presidential campaigns were conducted, as television brought elections into American living rooms. The debates garnered much attention, with 70 million Americans watching live, making politics an electronic spectator sport. It allowed potential voters to see actual presidential candidates in a live environment.
The debate on September 26, 1960, pitted two political giants against each other. Nixon, a popular politician before his presidency, was Eisenhower’s running mate and went on to win landslide victories in 1968 and 1972. Kennedy, a World War II hero and charismatic figure of the Kennedy political dynasty, proved to be Nixon’s most formidable opponent, narrowly defeating him in the 1960 presidential election. Kennedy’s victory was attributed in part to his performance on television, where he appeared more at ease and charismatic compared to Nixon.
Nixon’s appearance during the debate was negatively impacted by a knee injury, an infection, and the flu, making him look sickly and frail. Kennedy, on the other hand, appeared vibrant and healthy, which helped him win over the 70 million television viewers. Despite radio listeners calling the debate a draw or pronouncing Nixon as the victor, the visual impact of the television broadcast favored Kennedy. The margin of victory was small, with Kennedy capturing 49.7% of the popular vote compared to Nixon’s 49.6%.
Following the 1960 debate, televised presidential candidate debates did not occur in 1964, 1968, or 1972. President Lyndon B. Johnson refused to debate in 1964, while Nixon declined to debate in 1968 and 1972. The debates resumed in 1976 when President Gerald Ford agreed to debate Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter. The impact of television on presidential campaigns became clear with the 1960 debate, as Kennedy’s charismatic appearance played a role in his victory over Nixon. This moment in American history showcased the growing influence of television in politics.
As the first-ever televised presidential debate, the event on September 26, 1960, between Nixon and Kennedy marked a significant shift in how presidential campaigns were conducted. The debate captured the attention of millions of Americans and made politics into a spectator sport that could be watched from the comfort of living rooms across the nation. The visual impact of television played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the candidates, with Kennedy’s appearance favoring him over Nixon. This historical moment paved the way for the use of television in future presidential campaigns.
