SECOND KENNEDY-NIXON TV/RADIO DEBATE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-seven years ago tonight, October 7, 1960, the second of four debates between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon took place here in the Nation's Capital. The debates were broadcast live to a national radio and television audience.
The debate, moderated by Frank McGee of NBC News, began with a question to Mr. Nixon on Cuba. The reporter asked the Vice-President if he agreed with Senator Kennedy's suggestion that the Eisenhower administration take responsibility for the loss of Cuba.
Mr. Nixon said he did not agree with the view that Cuba was lost. He said that the United States was "following the right course." Nixon went on to characterize JFK's remarks on Cuba as "defeatist talk."
Senator Kennedy countered that while he did believe Cuba "is lost for freedom," he hoped that some day "it will rise."
At the end of the debate, the Vice-President was asked about his comment that voters forget party labels in the Election of 1960 and "vote for the man." Mr. Nixon responded, "because that's the way we elect a president in this country. I think the people should put America first, rather than party first."
Senator Kennedy countered that parties "tell something about the program and something about the man." He added...
"The Democratic Party in this century has stood for progress, while the Republicans stand for a whole different approach...opposition to housing, care for the aged, federal aid to education and the minimum wage."
SOURCE
"The Second Kennedy-Nixon Presidential Debate, October 7. 1960," Debate Transcript, Committee on Presidential Debates, www.debates.org/
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-seven years ago tonight, October 7, 1960, the second of four debates between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon took place here in the Nation's Capital. The debates were broadcast live to a national radio and television audience.
The debate, moderated by Frank McGee of NBC News, began with a question to Mr. Nixon on Cuba. The reporter asked the Vice-President if he agreed with Senator Kennedy's suggestion that the Eisenhower administration take responsibility for the loss of Cuba.
Mr. Nixon said he did not agree with the view that Cuba was lost. He said that the United States was "following the right course." Nixon went on to characterize JFK's remarks on Cuba as "defeatist talk."
Senator Kennedy countered that while he did believe Cuba "is lost for freedom," he hoped that some day "it will rise."
At the end of the debate, the Vice-President was asked about his comment that voters forget party labels in the Election of 1960 and "vote for the man." Mr. Nixon responded, "because that's the way we elect a president in this country. I think the people should put America first, rather than party first."
Senator Kennedy countered that parties "tell something about the program and something about the man." He added...
"The Democratic Party in this century has stood for progress, while the Republicans stand for a whole different approach...opposition to housing, care for the aged, federal aid to education and the minimum wage."
SOURCE
"The Second Kennedy-Nixon Presidential Debate, October 7. 1960," Debate Transcript, Committee on Presidential Debates, www.debates.org/
Kennedy-Nixon Debate
October 7, 1960
WRC-TV
Washington, D.C.
UPI Photo
