DID TELEVISION "EQUALIZE" THE STATURES OF THE CAnDIDATES?
Being on air in the first televised debate was certainly one of the most critical points of Kennedy’s campaign. Ted Sorensen, describes the climate of the pre-debate setting: “The Nixon people did not want their candidate sitting near Kennedy, on the claim that that would make them seem equal and Kennedy would win just by showing up.” (1) Sorensen’s description of “equality” is precisely what made the first debates so favorable for Kennedy. Just by debating Nixon, Kennedy was increasing his stature.
Kennedy's Catholicism
A great amount of criticism circulated Kennedy’s campaign prior to his first debate with Nixon. Voters raised questions about his inexperience relative to Nixon’s vice presidency, but also about his religion. Kennedy’s Catholicism was criticized by many out of the widespread fear that the president of the United States would be under the control of catholic authorities. (2) The television became essential to Kennedy’s early political engagement in the democratic primaries as he worked to shift widespread public discontent as it pertained to his Catholic beliefs. (3) Theodore White, a renowned journalist from the 1960s, provides his first-hand account of how effective Kennedy’s televised strategy was: "Over and over again there was the handsome, open-faced candidate on the TV screen, showing himself, proving that a Catholic wears no horns." (4) Donaldson even goes as far as to claim that his efforts on TV “neutralized the Catholic issue” prior to his debates with Nixon. (5)
|
Theodore White holding his book "The Making of the President 1960". We will discuss some of his findings shortly.
Image courtesy pulitzer.org |
Why would Nixon agree to debate Kennedy on a televised stage at all?
Just by having the opportunity to debate one-on-one with Nixon, Kennedy equalized his chances of being elected. Before the debates began, Nixon’s support was greater than that of Kennedy’s. Many voters regarded Nixon as the favorite candidate, bound “to win the election” because of his extensive background in policy. (6) According to a Gallup Poll, Kennedy was behind Nixon 46-47 percent. (7)
The important question then arises: Why would Nixon agree to debate Kennedy on a televised stage at all? Nixon provides the answer himself in his memoirs: “I felt it was absolutely essential that I not only agree to debate but enthusiastically welcome the opportunity.” (8) Then, Nixon proceeds to explain why he felt obligated to defend the Eisenhower Administration: “Had I refused the challenge, I would have opened myself to the charge that I was afraid to defend the Administration's and my own record.” (9)
The important question then arises: Why would Nixon agree to debate Kennedy on a televised stage at all? Nixon provides the answer himself in his memoirs: “I felt it was absolutely essential that I not only agree to debate but enthusiastically welcome the opportunity.” (8) Then, Nixon proceeds to explain why he felt obligated to defend the Eisenhower Administration: “Had I refused the challenge, I would have opened myself to the charge that I was afraid to defend the Administration's and my own record.” (9)
Footnotes:
(1) Oliphant, Sorensen, and Wilson, "50th Anniversary," interview, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
(2) Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 58.
(3) Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 59.
(4) White, The Making, 108, excerpted in Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 59.
(5) Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 59
(6) "How the Kennedy-Nixon Debate Changed the World of Politics," National Constitution Center, last modified September 26, 2017, https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-debate-that-changed-the-world-of-politics.
(7) Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 123.
(8) Richard Nixon, Six Crises (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1962), 323, excerpted in Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 112.
(9) Nixon, Six Crises, 323.
(1) Oliphant, Sorensen, and Wilson, "50th Anniversary," interview, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
(2) Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 58.
(3) Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 59.
(4) White, The Making, 108, excerpted in Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 59.
(5) Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 59
(6) "How the Kennedy-Nixon Debate Changed the World of Politics," National Constitution Center, last modified September 26, 2017, https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-debate-that-changed-the-world-of-politics.
(7) Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 123.
(8) Richard Nixon, Six Crises (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1962), 323, excerpted in Gary A. Donaldson, The First, 112.
(9) Nixon, Six Crises, 323.