d Nations and former Massachusetts Senator, as his Vice Presidential pick, after consultation with Republican, party leaders.” This was a choice made with consideration of foreign affairs in mind. The theme of the platform, as stated by Nixon was, “the race for survival,” the development of a strategy for international peace and freedom. 16Many assumed that Nixon would easily defeat Kennedy. However, Kennedy’s popularity increased after the candidates participated in four nationally televised debates. The debates, which took, place between September 26 and October 21, were the first presidential debates to be broadcast on television. The first debate that took place on September 26 brought the largest audience, estimated at 75 million viewers in 30 million homes. Kennedy “dominated the event,” by acting “charismatic, smiling and spewing facts like a machine gun. 17 When the questions came Kennedy was ready for them. He replied to the questions of his experience and qualifications of office, ‘by pointing out that his experience in government was equal to length to that of Nixons making him equally qualified.” Kennedy proposed to the viewers, “that the United States as a country, was not living up to its full potential, and that it was time to do something about it.” 18 Nixon had refused to wear makeup, appearing, “haggard, almost ghostlike.” 19In his responses, he came of as, “awkward and defensive,” struggling to “make a good impression.” 20 Nixon had a tough time answering to questions of his claims to “superior policy-handling skill,” because of President Eisenhower’s confession that he had never adopted any of Nixon’s policy proposals as vice president or advisor. 21 Although he agreed with Kennedy that the United States should be moving forward, Nixon disagreed that the country had not been productive eno...
