For this Artifact Friday, we draw attention to yesterday which marked the sixty-fourth year since the first-ever presidential debate held on television in which both candidates were present. This detail is important as a presidential debate was televised four years prior, in 1956, between Adlai Stevenson and Dwight Eisenhower. Still, neither candidate was present and opted to send delegates instead to represent them. The candidates that chose to represent themselves in the 1960 televised debate were the political titans, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, representing the Democratic and Republican parties respectively.
Before the televised debate, presidential debates were fairly uncommon with Lincoln vs Douglas being the first US presidential debates of which they held seven all in 1858. These debates were far different than the debates of today. There were no moderators. Instead, each candidate would open with a speech around an hour long and the opponent would be given an hour and a half for a rebuttal. These debates also had tiny audiences and it was likely for this reason that these debates were seen as a waste of time for presidential campaigns. True presidential debates would not become popular until they began to be broadcast via radio in 1948. 28 million households across the United States owned radios which meant these presidential debates could reach more Americans than ever before.
The ability to hear a candidate was a tremendous leap forward but people wanted to see their candidates. Psychologically, it helps to be able to put a face to a voice. Additionally, candidates could more easily look the part of smart and sophisticated professionals. Television allowed Americans to judge a book by its cover. This may have been an advantage for Kennedy in the 1960s election. He was far younger and more lively than Nixon, granting him a youthful glow that appealed to many Americans. This made John F. Kennedy the victor in the 1960 election.
The image below was gifted to John P. McConnell upon his retirement in 1969. Upon his retirement, President Richard Nixon awarded him with the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for his 40 years of service.
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