1960 Kennedy-Nixon

The age of televised politics is upon us as Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon square off in four so-called "Great Debates." The first, on September 26, 1960, draws the largest single audience in television history to that point. Nixon, who had been the first to successfully harness television for personalized political persuasion with his 1958 "Checkers" speech, loses the war of impressions. Famously, a majority of those listening on radio give the nod to Nixon; on television the veep looks pale and sweaty and downright spooky next to a young and camera-ready Kennedy. One woman says she couldn't vote for Nixon because she "didn't like the look in his eyes, especially the left one." Kennedy goes on to define the televised presidency, mastering the medium as only Reagan and Clinton have since.