1. DO NOW
Rank the following in order of how much they influence your thoughts (1 – 7).
_______ School
_______ Your family
_______ The newspaper
_______ Social media
_______ Television
_______ The radio
_______ Your friends
Explain your reasoning as to why you ranked #1 the way you did:

2. 301: Television and Politics
11/15
Unit 3: All About Elections
301: Television and Politics

3. Kennedy vs. Nixon
1960 Presidential Debate between then Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John Kennedy
First televised debate ever

4. Historical Background
Cold War
The Soviet Union was seen as a threat to American security
Kennedy ties Nixon to Eisenhower and claims they are unfit to keep Americans safe
Nixon defends President Eisenhower
The Voters
Perceive 2 different candidates
Kennedy is a “young” 43 and seen as a candidate of the future
Nixon is connected to the Eisenhower administration and seen as a candidate of the past

5.
1960 first debate

6.
Cold war debate

7. Post Debate
Voter perception of the candidates was strengthened by the debate based on the candidates’ physical image
Kennedy was seen as tanned, fit, well-rested wearing a dark suit
Nixon was seen as pale and tired without make-up and wearing a gray suit
Senator Kennedy won the election by a narrow 120,000 votes out of nearly 69 million cast.
Some historians say the debate gave Kennedy this narrow margin.

8. Other televised influences
Sound
Bites
Campaign Ads
Photo Ops
Media Spin

9.
“There you go again”

10.
No Jack Kennedy

11.
No new taxes

15.
Obama ad

16.
Obama sings