On September 26, 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon held the first televised debate in presidential campaign history. The program originated in Chicago and was carried by all of the major radio and TV networks. It was one of four debates. Howard K. Smith served as the moderator and questions came from Sander Vanocur, NBC News; Charles Warren, Mutual News; Stuart Novins, CBS News; and Bob Fleming, ABC News.
The PBS program, American Experience, described the first television debate.
Moderator Howard K. Smith began the debate with the following introduction:
“Good evening. The television and radio stations of the United States
and their affiliated stations are proud to provide facilities for a
discussion of issues in the current political campaign by the two
major candidates for the presidency. The candidates need no
introduction. The Republican candidate, Vice President Richard M.
Nixon, and the Democratic candidate, Senator John F. Kennedy.
According to rules set by the candidates themselves, each man shall
make an opening statement of approximately eight minutes’ duration and
a closing statement of approximately three minutes’ duration. In
between the candidates will answer, or comment upon answers to
questions put by a panel of correspondents. In this, the first
discussion in a series of four joint appearances, the subject matter,
it has been agreed, will be restricted to internal or domestic
American matters. And now, for the first opening statement by Senator
John F. Kennedy.”(Here is a link to a transcription of the debate.)
Years later Smith was interviewed about the first Kennedy/Nixon debate.
In 1996 CNN looked back at all of the Kennedy/Nixon debates:
“For the first time, the nominees of the two major parties met to
debate during a general election. Congress suspended the equal time
provision of the Federal Communications Act of 1934, and both Vice
President Richard Nixon (R) and Sen. John Kennedy (D-Mass.) believed
they had something to gain by debating.There were a total of four debates….the major theme was the threat
of global communism. There were no Vice Presidential debates in 1960.What everyone remembers is the first debate, where the telegenic
Kennedy won the image battle over Nixon who, recovering from the flu,
appeared pale and refused make-up.….Kennedy was aggressive, taking the offensive to confront what was
widely perceived to be his greatest weakness — his lack of experience
— by talking about his work in the Congress.….Nixon blamed the country’s economic and other problems on
Democratic President Truman’s administration and argued that things
were much improved under the outgoing Republican administration of
Eisenhower.”
The JFK Library has posted the entire September 26, 1960 debate.
Comments