The presidential election of 1960

What was the significance of the first televised presidential debate in 1960

It was the first ever televised debate between presidential candidates, shaping public perception of the candidates' image

Who were the participants in the 1960 televised presidential debate

Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon

How did the public perceive Kennedy after the televised debate

As calm, confident, and the equal of Nixon, which was a major boost to his campaign

How did viewers who watched on TV perceive the debate result

They saw Kennedy as the victor

How did listeners who only heard the debate on radio perceive the result

They believed Nixon had won

What had Nixon previously accused Kennedy of before the debate

Being immature, young, and inexperienced

How did Nixon appear on television during the debate

Tense, frightened, haggard, sweating, with sunken eyes and a strained face

What was the physical comparison between the two candidates during the debate

Kennedy appeared healthy and composed; Nixon looked ill and under pressure

What does Theodore White suggest about Nixon's experience during the debate

That everything went wrong for Nixon, making it a sympathetic ordeal

Why was Kennedy's performance in the debate so impactful

It changed the public image of him from a young underdog to a credible equal of the sitting Vice President

Who was John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK)

The 35th President of the United States, elected in 1960

When was JFK born and when did he die

1917-1963

What was JFK's religious background

Irish Catholic

Who was JFK's father and what was his ambition

Joseph Kennedy, who wanted one of his sons to become president

What happened to JFK's older brother Joe

He died in the Second World War

How did JFK come to be the focus of his father's political ambitions

After Joe's death, Joseph Kennedy shifted his presidential hopes to JFK

What military service did JFK perform

He served in the Second World War

When was JFK elected to the House of Representatives

1947

When was JFK elected to the Senate

1953

When did JFK become President of the United States

1960

What factors contributed to JFK's political success

His charisma, political skill, and his father's wealth

Who won the 1960 US presidential election

John F Kennedy

What party did John F Kennedy represent

Democratic

How many popular votes did Kennedy receive in the 1960 election

34,227,096

Who was Kennedy's main opponent in the 1960 election

Richard M Nixon

What party did Richard Nixon represent in 1960

Republican

How many popular votes did Nixon receive in the 1960 election

34,107,646

Who was the third candidate in the 1960 election

Harry F Byrd

What party was Harry F Byrd associated with

Democratic

How many popular votes did Harry F Byrd receive

116,248

How close was the 1960 election in terms of popular vote

Kennedy won by only about 120,000 votes

What made the 1960 election historically significant

It was the closest presidential election of the 20th century

How many votes separated Kennedy and Nixon in the 1960 election

119,450 votes

What was Kennedy's winning margin in the popular vote

0.17%

How old was Nixon during the 1960 election

47

How old was Kennedy during the 1960 election

43

What were Nixon's key strengths in the campaign

Experience in Congress, anti-communist stance, foreign policy experience, humble background, full-state campaigning, strong home state support

What role did Nixon serve under Eisenhower

Vice President

What was Nixon's campaign promise regarding the states

To campaign in every state

Who was Nixon's running mate in 1960

Henry Cabot Lodge

Which state strongly supported Nixon

California

What were Kennedy's key strengths

War hero status, youth and appearance, congressional experience, Northern Democrat and Catholic support, strong vice-presidential choice, African-American voter appeal, family wealth

Who was Kennedy's running mate

Lyndon B. Johnson

What qualities made Kennedy physically appealing as a candidate

He was young, handsome, and tall

Why was Kennedy considered a war hero

He saved his crew after a Japanese destroyer rammed his ship

What unusual object did Kennedy keep on his desk as president

A coconut shell used to send a rescue message

What challenge did Kennedy face as a Catholic candidate

Resistance from Protestant voters in the Bible Belt

How did Kennedy try to reassure Protestant voters

He promised a clear separation of Church and State

How many votes do psephologists believe Kennedy lost due to his Catholicism

1.5 million votes

What is the Bible Belt

An informal term referring to the socially conservative and Protestant-leaning Southern states and parts of the Midwest

What is psephology

The statistical study of voting patterns and habits across demographics

Why did Kennedy address the Greater Houston Ministerial Association

To reassure Protestant voters about his Catholicism

What main issues did Kennedy say were more important than religion in the 1960 election

Communist expansion, national respect, poverty, healthcare, education, space race

Why was Kennedy's religion a key issue in the campaign

He was the first Catholic with a serious chance of becoming president

How did Kennedy portray his candidacy in contrast to the focus on religion

As focused on real national and international challenges

What campaign tactic did Nixon avoid using against Kennedy

Attacking his Catholic faith

What was Nixon's main criticism of Kennedy

His lack of experience

What Cold War issue did Kennedy exploit in the campaign

The so-called missile gap between the US and the USSR

What did Kennedy claim about US defence under Eisenhower and Nixon

That it had allowed a missile gap to develop

Was the missile gap real

No, later research disproved it

What area of Nixon's background did Kennedy contrast with his own

War heroism and combat service

How did Nixon serve during the Second World War

In logistics, receiving commendations for efficiency

How did Kennedy serve during the Second World War

In combat, rescuing crewmates after a shipwreck

How did Kennedy's father help the campaign

By courting favourable media coverage

What was the key advantage Kennedy had in terms of media image

Heroic war record and strong presentation

What economic issue featured heavily in the campaign

Extending prosperity to all parts of society

How did Nixon handle the economic debate

He was drawn into it rather than highlighting past Republican success

What role did Eisenhower play in Nixon's campaign

Initially uninvolved, later gave vocal support

What was the effect of Eisenhower's late support

Helped Nixon recover from debate losses

When was the 1960 presidential election held

8 November 1960

What is a sit-in

A nonviolent protest where participants occupy an area by sitting down

Two incidents are often credited with making the difference to the Kennedy campaign What was one of these incidents

Kennedy placed a call to Martin Luther King Jr.'s wife when he was imprisoned during a sit-in in Atlanta

Why was Kennedy's call to Martin Luther King Jr.'s wife important

It was part of an orchestrated campaign to win the African-American vote and was heavily promoted in the black press

What percentage of the black vote did Kennedy take

Kennedy took the black vote by 70:30

What was believed to be the biggest factor in Kennedy's victory

The first ever televised debate, six weeks before the election

How did Kennedy prepare for the televised debate

His team ensured he had no other appointments on the day and he had been campaigning in Florida to appear well-tanned

Why was Kennedy's blue suit significant in the debate

It was chosen to contrast with the grey TV background where Nixon's grey suit blended in

What health issues did Nixon face during the debate

Nixon was recovering from a knee injury and flu, sweated profusely under the hot lights, and could not find a make-up artist to hide his stubble

Who was perceived as the winner of the first televised debate by radio listeners

Nixon was narrowly thought to have won by radio listeners

Who was perceived as the winner of the first televised debate by the TV audience

Kennedy was seen as the victor by the larger television audience of 74 million

What did Kennedy admit four days after the election about the impact of TV

"It was the TV more than anything else that turned the tide"

What did research by David L Vancil and Sue D Pendell suggest about the debates

The impact of the debates was less significant than perceived but highlighted the growing importance of effective marketing

How did Kennedy benefit from marketing during the campaign

He used snappy party political broadcasts with jingles like "Kennedy For Me" and distributed thousands of campaign merchandise

What types of campaign merchandise were distributed

Pin badges, posters, hats, flags, and pennants

How did Kennedy's campaign use photo opportunities

They showed Kennedy meeting a range of people, often including his glamorous wife, Jackie

What allegations surfaced regarding the election

Allegations of voter fraud in Texas and Chicago

Who encouraged Nixon to challenge the election result in court

Eisenhower encouraged Nixon to challenge the result

Did Nixon challenge the election results in court

No, Nixon chose not to, saying it would cause a constitutional crisis and make him look like a sore loser

What was the public perception of Kennedy's victory

A new dawn for America with a handsome young president, beautiful family, gifted orator, and a new vision rooted in strength and service.

What famous line did Kennedy say in his inaugural speech

"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

Who was Harris Wofford

A campaign worker tasked with finding talented individuals for Kennedy's administration.

What was the goal of Kennedy's talent search after the election

To find the 'best and brightest' young, vigorous, tough people committed to public service.

What kind of people did Kennedy NOT want in his administration

Bureaucrats and just politicians.

Where did Wofford and his team look for talent

Across academia, professions, business, unions, the party, and campaign workers.

Why were so many people interested in joining the government at this time

There was excitement around Kennedy's government; Washington was a magnet like it was under Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Wilson.

Who was Sargent Shriver

Kennedy's brother in law, lawyer, key figure behind Peace Corps, ambassador to France (1968 70), 1972 VP candidate with McGovern.

What was Robert McNamara's role under Kennedy

Defense Secretary, former Ford president, statistical expert, favoured military intervention, stayed on under Johnson.

What was Dean Rusk known for

Secretary of State under Kennedy and Johnson, seen as second choice, had a fractious relationship with Kennedy, stayed on despite resign offers.

What was LBJ's political background and role

24 years in Congress, Kennedy's VP to balance North South and experience youth, focused on poverty after JFK, stuck in Vietnam, won 1964 election easily.

Who was Bobby Kennedy

JFK's younger brother, ran JFK's campaign, Attorney General under JFK and Johnson, NY Senator 1965 68, assassinated campaigning for presidency in 1968.