When it comes to political game changers, it’s hard to top the Kennedy-Nixon Debates during the 1960 US Presidential Election. In particular, the first one that aired live from Chicago on Monday, September 26th.
Not only was this the first ever face-to-face Presidential Debate, it was also the first US political debate broadcast on television. Plus, it was the first and last time a candidate would underestimate the importance of TV.
Richard Nixon, the sitting Vice-President, was, according to all the polling, on course to win. He insisted on campaigning right up to a few hours before the debate and refused makeup when he arrived.
He came across as tired, sweaty and old, while his rival, Senator John F. Kennedy, looked young, vibrant and dynamic. The polling changed and Kennedy went on to win the White House.
Here it is, in its entirety:
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