I grew up in the 60s & JFK became & remains my hero. JFK+50 highlights the key events relating to JFK in an "on this day in history" format & includes other events in US & world history. The daily postings read as if published in a newspaper on the day of the event.
KENNEDY-NIXON PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES OPEN IN CHICAGO
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On September 26, 1960, the first televised debate between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon during the presidential campaign of 1960 took place at a local CBS television studio here in the Windy City. The first debate between the two major party candidates was the
turning point in the campaign resulting in a narrow victory for the
young senator from Massachusetts. Although there were three more debates, it was the first that had the greatest impact.
On the 50th anniversary of the opening debate, Kayla Webley of Time Magazine published an article titled "How the Nixon-Kennedy Debate Changed the World." Ms. Webley wrote... "On
the morning of September 26, 1960, John F. Kennedy was a relatively
unknown senator from Massachusetts. He was young and Catholic....and
facing off against an incumbent. But by the end of the evening, he was a
star."
Chicago, Illinois(JFK+50) On September 26, 1960, the first of four televised debates was held here in the Windy City between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon.
Mr. Nixon was the clear favorite going in to this debate. He had served two terms as President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Vice-President during a relatively good economic period. The Vice-President had the additional advantage of a strong background in public debating. He had been a champion in college.
The pressure was on the young senator from Massachusetts to show that he could stand toe-to-toe with Nixon. As far as debating points, JFK did so although those who listened to the debate on radio gave the nod to Nixon. It was JFK's image on television, however, that gave him the clear advantage.
On the 50th anniversary of the 1st debate, Kayla Webley of Time Magazine published an article titled: 'How the Nixon-Kennedy Debate Changed the World.'
Ms. Webley begins her article with these words...
"On the morning of September 26, 1960, John F. Kennedy was a relatively unknown senator from Massachusetts. He was young and Catholic....and facing off against an incumbent. But by the end of the evening, he was a star."
She goes on to tell us that the first debate "fundamentally altered"campaigns as well as television and the political history of the nation. She quotes Alan Schroeder, professor at Northeastern University...
"It's one of those unusual points on the timeline of history where you can say things changed very dramatically...in a single night."
Seventy-four million people tuned in to the first debate and most believed JFK was the clear winner. Ms. Webley also quotes Larry Sabato, author of 'The Kennedy Half-Century'....
"Before the television debates, most Americans didn't even see the candidates...they read about them (and) saw photos of them."
The first debate was televised from CBS Studios in Chicago, Illinois. It was broadcast live on the CBS, ABC and NBC television networks. Howard K. Smith (ABC) was the narrator. The panel of reporters included Bob Fleming (ABC), Stuart Novins (CBS), Sander Vanocur (NBC), and Charles Warren (Mutual).
KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATES NOTHING LIKE CLINTON-TRUMP Washington, D.C.(JFK+50) Michael Collins of the USA Today Network writes in a front-page story in today's Knoxville News-Sentinel that the "Kennedy-Nixon debates were civil---unlike Clinton-Trump." Collins says that JFK's debate adviser, fellow Senator Al Gore Sr. of Tennessee, told him to NOT call Vice-President Richard M. Nixon a liar, but to "....be quick to point out inconsistencies." Michael Collins reminds us that in last week's second debate between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump, that the latter branded the former not only as a liar but also "called her the devil" and to top it off "threatened to throw her in jail" if he is elected POTUS. Senator Gore, who discussed his role in the 1960 Debates in an oral interview for the JFK Library in 1964, suggested to his party's nominee... "Do not try to discuss topics in detail. Keep hammering away. Sooner or later Nixon will feel the pressure and begin to make mistakes." Despite the fact that the first debate focused on domestic issues, Senator Gore urged JFK to be wary that Nixon might bring up Soviet Chairman Nikita Khrushchev's visit to the United States "to score points." So Senator Kennedy brought it up first by saying even though they were discussing domestic issues...."I would not want...any implication to be given that this does not involve directly our struggle with Mr. Khrushchev for survival." It is widely agreed that JFK won that first debate with Nixon and that was a huge factor in his narrow election victory in November 1960. SOURCE "Kennedy-Nixon debates were civil--unlike Clinton-Trump," by Michael Collins, USA Today Network--Tennessee, Knoxville News-Sentinel, October 17, 2016, www.knoxnews.com/
JFK VISITED MONTANA, WASHINGTON STATE AND UTAH ON CONSERVATION TOUR 50 YEARS AGO
Salt Lake City, Utah (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy finished up his day here in Salt Lake City after speaking in Great Falls, Montana, and Hanford, Washington, 50 years ago today, September 26, 1963.
The day's schedule was part of JFK's conservation tour of the United States.
Speaking at the High School Memorial Stadium in Great Falls, JFK said...
"This journey...has been one of the most impressive experiences of my life. (This) journey shows...what a strong, powerful, and resourceful country this is."
And at the Hanford Electric Generating Plant in Washington State, the President said...
"This is an extraordinary place to visit as a citizen and President of the United States because along this river men have played a significant role in the last 20 years which has changed the entire history of the world..."
In his final speech of the day here at the Mormon Tabernacle here in Salt Lake City, President Kennedy said...
"Of all the stories of American pioneers...none is more inspiring than the Mormon trail. The qualities of the founders of this community are the qualities that we seek in America...courage, patience, faith, self-reliance, perseverance, and...an unflagging determination to see the right prevail."
JFK concluded his remarks with these words...
"I think this country will continue its commitments to support the world of freedom, for as we discharge that commitment we are heeding the command which Brigham Young heard from the Lord more than a century ago, the command he conveyed to his followers, 'Go as pioneers...to a land of peace'"
KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATES OPENED 53 YEARS AGO TODAY
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) The 1st televised debate between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon during the presidential campaign of 1960 took place 53 years ago tonight, September 26, 1960. The 1st of 4 face to face debates between the two candidates became the turning point in the campaign resulting in a narrow victory for the young senator from Massachusetts.
On the 50th anniversary of the opening debate, Kayla Webley of Time Magazine published an article titled: "How the Nixon-Kennedy Debate Changed the World." Ms. Webley wrote... "On the morning of September 26, 1960, John F. Kennedy was a relatively unknown senator from Massachusetts. He was young and Catholic....and facing off against an incumbent. But by the end of the evening, he was a star."
Seventy four million people tuned in to the debate and most of them believed JFK was the clear winner. Larry Sabato, author of "The Kennedy Half-Century," wrote... "Before the television debates, most Americans didn't even see the candidates...they read about them and saw photos of them."
The 1st debate was televised from CBS Studios and broadcast live on CBS, ABC and NBC television networks. Howard K. Smith was the narrator. Questioners were Bob Fleming, Stuart Novins, Sander Vanocur and Charles Warren.
