Kennedy And Nixon Argumentative Analysis

Another four years another presidential debate. Before I go on to the current debates let me state a few facts about past ones. The Lincoln and Douglas debate was in important because it started Lincoln presidential career. The Debates lasted from August 21 -- October 15. There where seven of them, with two days to two weeks in between. Each debate lasted three hours; first candidate spoke for one hour; the second for one and a half hours; the first replying for a half hour. Candidates alternated going first. The topics involved where primarily slavery and the Union. Other important debates were the '48 and '57. They were the only debates before 1960; there were no presidential debates between 1960 and 1976. In

Every single moment that takes place in history arguably leaves an effect that lasts much longer than just the initial outcome. The Lincoln Douglas Debates are by far one of the truest examples of this happening. The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas that took place in 1858 had extreme importance in Illinois that created effects that decided the presidential election of 1860.

John F Kennedy, 35th president of the United States Of America, in his inaugural speech, vocalizes his ideas for the country and its future through the use of many rhetorical devices such as diction, metaphors, ethos and rhetorical question to convince the people he is fit for the job of president. During the height of the cold war, John F. Kennedy was given the burden of solving the obstacle of the U.S.S.R. The gap between the presidential candidates was microscopic with John F Kennedy getting 49.72% of the votes and Nixon 49.55% of the votes. Most people believed that The now democratic president would get eaten alive in Russian negotiations and was unfit for the presidency. These factors made the speech that much more intense because he had to assure and calm the people who were in high doubt that JFK was the right person for the job. This is why he used these subtle but successful tactics to win the favor of the people and convince them to not only support him, but become active participants in their democracy.

On January 20, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy became the youngest man to possess presidency in the United States of America. As a young, wealthy man Kennedy rapidly climbed the political ladder by initially representing a working class Boston district in the United States Congress, then continuing on to the House of Representatives, followed by the United States Senate, and ending with the victorious defeat of his presidential opponent, to become the 35th president of the United States. According to theatlantic.com, Kennedy was so admired by the public, that “in the eyes of the world, this reticent man became a charismatic leader who, in his life and in his death, served as a symbol of purpose and hope.” As a result of John F. Kennedy’s

The September 27, 1960 New York Times reported about the first televised presidential debate. The vice President Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy face each other. About 70 million American viewers

After listening to the debate without watching, I felt that Nixon won, not for anything but his oratory skills. I felt that the two were fairly equal on substance but Nixon's voice and pitch while articulating his points was better. However, after watching the video, I find Kennedy to have been more appealing and feel that he won the debate. Electability of a political leader is dependent on a number of factors, and I think the most important factor is charisma. It is Kennedy who carried the day as more charismatic than Nixon in the following manner.

To begin, John F. Kennedy should have your support because of the way he carries himself, and presents his ideas. In document B, the first presidential debate between Vice President Nixon and senator Kennedy, the author of the transcripts explains that Kennedy, “ Kennedy...campaigning in California...tan and confident and well rested.” (2) Since the 1960 presidential election was

On the other hand, New York Senator Robert Kennedy gave his first presidential campaign speech at Kansas State University on March 18, 1968. In his speech he addressed the dire consequences of the Vietnam conflict and also condemned the Johnson administration actions on the matter. Certainly, Senator Kennedy charisma and honesty was projected during his speech. Plus, Senator Kennedy did not wanted to be any president of the United States; for instance, he declared the following, “… I don’t want to win support of votes by hiding the American condition in false hopes or illusion.” Presidential hopeful, Robert Kennedy wanted America to move forward, to rebuild the country to its former glory, but to do so he believed that first the government had to examine the mistakes made in the last

The 1960 presidential campaign showed to be historic in the invention of television for advertisements, news interviews and policy debates, something that would occupy Kennedy's youthful hands. Four debates were created between Nixon and Kennedy, and Nixon had his tactics helping him from the beginning of it. During them, he was slowly getting better from the flu and looked exhausted, and then when he came to the TV studio, Nixon decided to not wear much TV makeup, scared that the press would accuse him of trying to copy Kennedy's fresh looks of his tan skin. Even though he shaved, Nixon's "five o'clock shadow" showed on the cameras, and his gray suit blended into the gray background which was a difference from Kennedy's well-fitted dark suit. Nixon was still trying to

In order to have a government that is run by people; specifically, people that must choose a candidate to vote for, its seems fit that it would be important that there be adequate means of illustrating each candidate’s positions on all of the issues that the constituents care about. Presidential debates are the means of showcasing a candidates’ policies to the nation and at the same time they allow the citizens in the democratic society to make a more informed decision about their vote than they otherwise would have without a debate.

In 1960, Nixon lost the election against John F. Kennedy. Nixon had 219 electoral votes and Kennedy had 303 electoral votes(“Richard Nixon Biography”,2016). It was the closest election on record(“Richard Nixon Biography”,2016). Nixon took the loss well and handled the situation properly(“Richard Nixon Biography”,2016). In 1968, he became the 37th president of the United States of America. When he was elected, he was known to be unprepared for the presidency(Drew,2007). He had absolutely no clue who he wanted in cabinet or what he wanted to accomplish once he got into

Furthermore, Dickerson focuses on displaying Kennedy’s strengths by comparing him to other candidates. For example, he says, “Dwight Eisenhower had run television ads in 1952, but Kennedy’s ads in West Virginia in 1960 were arguably the first pivotal TV spots in American electoral history (24).” This shows how even though Eisenhower was the first candidate to run television ads, Kennedy receives all the credit due to him being more successful. Dickerson also states how there was “almost no democrat who had done more” than Kennedy in preparing for the presidential race (15). This proves Dickerson’s point in showing how Kennedy was a candidate like no other. Kennedy had an ability to surpass every other candidate, which is why readers get the

On September 26, 1960, John Fitzgerald Kennedy met Richard Milhous Nixon in the first nationally televised presidential debate in American history. The candidates clashed on a variety of domestic issues, including education, infrastructure, health care, and economic policies. The audience was unprecedented in size. Approximately seventy million Americans watched the debate. By the end, Kennedy was a star. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike lauded his poise, confidence, and charisma. On the other hand, viewers criticized Nixon’s haggard expression and sweaty countenance. As it turns out, television had the greatest influence on these perceptions. Those who watched the debate overwhelmingly asserted Kennedy’s clear victory, while

The American people were looking for a strong leader and with Nixon serving as the Vice President he was obviously the better candidate. Not to mention, JFK was a young senator of Catholic faith from Massachusetts who lack the experience of foreign policy. Of course, what many thought JFK lack changed the night of the first presidential debate. Once the debate ended many radio listeners felt Nixion had won but those who watched on television, 74 million viewers, agreed that Kennedy won the debate (Webley, 2010). The television captured Nixon as a pale and sweaty candidate while JFK appeared confident and calm. The way JFK communicated on television amplified his political influence with the public. JFK preparedness allowed him to connect with the audience, which was a major turning point for the election. JFK would go on winning the popular vote 49.7 percent to 49.5 percent, with polls revealing that voters claimed the debate influence them (History.com Staff,

Kennedy was said to have won because his image on television during the debates was “crisp”. The televised debates between Gore and Bush most likely won the election for Bush. In both cases, a candidate with no national experience overcame a vice-president.