Presidential Debates

Presidential Debates are hearings where two Presidential opponents appear together and are asked questions about their political views. The first official Presidential Debate was between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960. The most recent Presidential Debate was between incumbent George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry in 2004. The only gap is from 1964 to 1972 because both Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon did not accept debates during that time.

1960 election

The 1960 presidential election was historically important because, for the first time, television played an important part in the election. Both of the candidates were skilled debaters and agreed to appear in four live televised debates. Democrat, John F. Kennedy, appeared handsome, young and bright on the cameras, whereas Nixon looked pale, pasty and uncomfortable. Although the viewers who heard the debate on radio thought Nixon won, those who saw it televised thought Kennedy won. The debates where crucial to Kennedy's campaign. When asked what helped him win the most, Kennedy said, "The live televised debates."