The Presidential Debates Between John F. Kennedy and...

The Presidential Debates Between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon In the Presidential Election of 1960 John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Richard Milhouse Nixon were in a series of debates that were different from past debates. The three biggest national television networks arranged for the debate to be televised on all three stations. The Democratic candidate, Senator Kennedy from Massachusetts, and Vice President Nixon both agreed on the televised debates. Each debate was given a subject matter that the candidates agreed to correspond their answers with the subject. The first debate was for the issues concerning domestic questions, the second was centered around the area of foreign policy, and the third and fourth debates†¦show more content†¦I believe in effective governmental action. And I think thats the only way the United States is going to maintain its freedom. Its the only way that were going to move ahead. I think we can do a better job. I think were going to have to do a better job if we are going to meet the responsibilities which time and events have placed on us. We cannot turn the job over to anyone else. If the United States fails then the whole cause of freedom fails. (The First Kennedy Nixon Debate, p.2) After Kennedy was finished Smith announced for Vice President Nixon to give his opening statement. Nixon agreed with Kennedy about the U.S. having to move. Nixon compared his thoughts on Communism to a deadly competition, and that the U.S. was ahead and needed to stay that way. He disagreed with Kennedy because Kennedy said that the U.S. had been standing still, and Nixon pointed out that we had been moving. He stated that our gross national product was the highest in the world, that more schools had been built, we had developed more hydroelectric power, and the wages of people had gone up. Nixon said the programs he supported would give all Americans an equal chance for education, better medical care for elders, and more housing. He quickly shot down Kennedys programs and said that with Kennedy the U.S. would quit moving and go stagnate. One of Nixons major points was the spending of each of the political platforms. He showedShow MoreRelatedPresidential Debate Over Presidential Debates947 Words   |  4 Pagesthrottle, Kennedy and Nixon’s presidential debates of 1960 are still very much a part of American democracy. Televised presidential debates have become a backbone in an American election. Although these debates are now considered a norm in American politics, this has not always the case. Even after the first time a presidential debate was held between presidential candidates from across the aisle, it took another 16 years for another debate to occur. It is highly doubtful that either Nixon or KennedyRead MoreKennedy-Nixon Debate Analysis779 Words   |  4 PagesGanivet SPC 3540 – Persuasion October 22, 2013 Kennedy-Nixon Debate Analysis There may be more truth to the old saying, â€Å"it’s not what you say but how you say it.† On average, 93 percent of meaning found in communication comes from nonverbal messages (Mehrabian 1967). Nonverbal communication is the wordless transmission of information through body language, gestures, tone, space and appearance. The first televised presidential debate is a pivotal example of how pervasive nonverbal communicationRead MoreThe Presidential Election of 1960 Essay1986 Words   |  8 PagesThe Presidential Election of 1960 The presidential election that took place in 1960 was an interesting one. Newcomer, John F. Kennedy verses the Vice President, Richard M. Nixon. It was experimental with its trail of televised debates. 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Kennedy ha d made specific decisions as the Democratic candidate that helped him leap to victory. Specifically, JFK’s performance during the first televised debate, decision to focus on key large states, Houston tape, and other decisionsRead MoreThe War Of A National Highway System1463 Words   |  6 PagesThe term New Frontier was used by liberal, Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy in his acceptance speech. Kennedy entered office with the goal to get rid of Americas poverty, and to raise America’s eyes to the stars through the space program. During the New Frontier, unemployment benefits were expanded, aid was provided to cities to improve housing and transportation, funds were allocated to continue the construction of a national highway system started under Eisenhower, a water pollutionRead MoreU.s. Government s Presidential Selection Process851 Words   |  4 PagesThere has always been a history behind everything that the U.S. government has done. So why woul d the presidential selection process be any different. When looking at this procedure, unlike the Electoral College, the nominating of the presidential candidates are not spelled out in the constitution. Seeing as the constitution was written in the late 1700’s there were no political parties to speak of. At the beginning of 1796 members of the U.S. Congress would meet informally to agree on their party’s