Kennedy and Nixon: The "Great Debates" of 1960
Fifty six years ago the first-ever televised debate in U.S. history took place between Democrat Sen. John F. Kennedy (L) and Republican Vice-President Richard M. Nixon (R) on Sept. 26, 1960.
The Kennedy-Nixon debate matchup had a major impact on the 1960 election much to Nixon’s detriment. Radio listeners said Nixon won, but television viewers overwhelmingly picked Kennedy.
Kennedy and Nixon debate 1960
Kennedy, left, and Nixon at a CBS television studio in Chicago, Sept. 26, 1960.
Kennedy and Nixon debate 1960
The Kennedy camp pushed for the debates, knowing their candidate had much to gain because he had far less recognition nationwide than Nixon did as the current vice president.
Kennedy and Nixon (both seated) listen to 60 Minutes founder Don Hewitt (C), the producer-director of the first-ever televised presidential debate, during preparations one day before.The first debate between the candidates took place in a Chicago studio of CBS affiliated WBBM.
Nixon - 1960
Nixon had a slim lead in polls going into the first debate. The candidates held four debates in total, three of them in October. The first in Chicago was the one that left the most memorable impression. The debate is credited by some with swinging a close election in favor of the more telegenic Kennedy.
CBS’s Don Hewitt, right, prepares Nixon for the broadcast, September 25, 1960.
Nixon and Kennedy debate
A key mistake Nixon made in the first debate was wearing a light gray suit which nearly matched the backdrop.
Nixon prepares for the debate with Kennedy,September 25, 1960.
Nixon and Kennedy debate
The first debate centered on domestic policy issues. It also marked the beginning of television playing a significant role in politics with 70 million viewers tuning in to watch.
Kennedy, 43, was a first-time senator from Massachusetts. The wealthy New Englander not only lacked Nixon’s experience, but being Catholic was considered a handicap. Just sharing a stage with the vice president put him on an important equal footing.
Jacqueline Kennedy
Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of the Democratic presidential candidate, watches, her husband debate with Vice President Richard Nixon on television in her home in Hyannis Port, Mass., Sept. 26, 1960.
Mrs. Kennedy, who was six months pregnant with the couple’s second child, hosted a group of Democratic leaders at a television watching parties for each of the four debates.
Nixon Kennedy debate
Hewitt, who produced and directed the first event for CBS, said that Kennedy prepared more for the debates,“Kennedy knew it was going to be important. He rested that afternoon.” Kennedy came off tan and fit.
Sen. John Kennedy, Democratic presidential candidate, slaps his hands together while speaking, Sept. 26, 1960 in Chicago.
Nixon
Hewitt said, ”Nixon made a speech to the Carpenters Union that day in Chicago -- thought this was just another campaign appearance that night -- was ill. Arrived at the studio, banged his knee when he got out of the car, was in pain, looked green, sallow, needed a shave.”
Nixon stands at lectern during the nationally televised first of four presidential debates with Kennedy on Sept. 26, 1960.
Nixon Kennedy debate
Jacqueline Kennedy, left center, sits in her living room with a group of Democrats watching her husband on television debating domestic affairs with Vice President Nixon, at her Hyannis Port, Mass., home, Sept. 26, 1960.
Mrs. Kennedy’s debate watching parties received considerable attention from the news media.
Nixon and Kennedy debate
The view from the control room with Senator Kennedy seen on monitors in the foreground and the two candidates on stage in Chicago, September 26, 1960. The debate moderator, Howard K. Smith, is seated at a table between them.
Kennedy and Nixon debate
Frank Stanton, right, and Don Hewitt of CBS watch the monitor as Nixon and Kennedy debate.
Richard Nixon
Vice President Nixon wipes his face with a handkerchief in Chicago, Sept. 26, 1960. His profuse sweating on stage created a poor impression. Nixon came off pale and unhealthy both because he was, in fact, ill with the flu and refused television makeup. In addition, Nixon had recently lost weight while hospitalized for a knee injury.
Nixon, already known as “Tricky Dick,” was also sporting a 5 o’clock shadow that was highlighted by television lighting. He used LazyShave to hide his stubble, but it sweated off under the hot tv lights.
The next day, the Chicago Daily News ran the headline “Was Nixon Sabotaged by TV Makeup Artists?”
Jacqueline Kennedy
Future first lady Jacqueline Kennedy watches a presidential debate between her husband, Democratic nominee John Kennedy, and Republican nominee Richard Nixon from the wings, October 1960.
Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy
Kenned listens to Nixon speaking on camera in New York, Oct. 7, 1960. The debates between the presidential candidates were broadcast nationally on TV and radio.
Nixon Kennedy debate
The telegenic Kennedy makes a point during his debate with Nixon in Washington, Oct. 7, 1960.
Nixon Kennedy
Nixon came off better in the subsequent dates, particularly the fourth and final one on foreign policy in a New York television studio on Oct. 21, 1960.
Kennedy went on to win the election, however. Impressions made in the first debate stuck.
Both Lyndon Johnson, in 1964, and Nixon, when he successfully ran again for president in 1968 and re-election in 1972, refused to debate their opponents. The next televised presidential debate didn’t happen for 16 years, until 1976.