Four presidential debates were held between Republican nominee Richard Nixon and Democratic nominee John F. Kennedy. All four presidential debates were the first series of debates conducted for any presidential election. The next presidential debate did not occur until 1976, after which debates would become a regular feature of all presidential campaigns.
The first presidential debate between Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy took place on Monday, September 26, 1960, at the WBBM-TV studios in Chicago, Illinois. The debate was moderated by Howard K. Smith of CBS with Sander Vanocur, Charles Warren, Stuart Novins and Bob Fleming as panelists. Questions were restricted to internal or domestic American matters. The format decided was:
Eight minute opening statements
Two and a half minute responses to questions
Optional rebuttal
Full broadcast of the September 26 debate three minute closing statements.
Nixon refused make-up for the first debate, subsequently his facial stubble showed prominently on black-and-white television screens. During the debate, Nixon started sweating under the studio lights. His light gray suit faded into the backdrop of the set and seemed to match his skin tone. Reacting to this, his mother immediately called him and asked whether he was sick. Chicago MayorRichard J. Daley in an interview said:
My God, they’ve embalmed him before he even died.[8]
The second presidential debate between Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy took place on Friday, October 7, 1960, at the WRC-TV studios in Washington, D.C.. The debate was moderated by Frank McGee of NBC with Paul Niven, Edward P. Morgan, Alvin Spivak and Harold R. Levy as panelists. Questions were related to internal American matters, foreign relations, economy, etc. The format decided was:
No opening or closing statements
Each questioned in turn with optional rebuttal
October 13: Third presidential debate (ABC studios, Los Angeles and New York City)
The third presidential debate between Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy took place on Thursday, October 13, 1960, were held virtually at the ABC studios in Los Angeles, California (for Nixon) and New York City, New York (for Kennedy). The debate was moderated by Bill Shadel of ABC with Frank McGee, Charles Van Fremd, Douglass Cater and Roscoe Drummond as panelists. Shadel moderated the debate from a different television studio in Los Angeles. A major topic of the debate was whether military force should be used to prevent Quemoy and Matsu, two island archipelagos off the Chinese coast, from falling under Communist control.[10] The format decided was:
No opening or closing statements
Each questioned in turn with two and a half minutes to answer
One and a half minute rebuttals optional
This debate was considered a "monumental step for television".
October 21: Fourth presidential debate (ABC studios, New York City)
Pietrusza, David (2008). 1960 – LBJ vs. JFK vs. Nixon – The Epic Campaign that Forged Three Presidencies. Union Square Press. ISBN9781402761140. OL20964234M.
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