1960 Kennedy vs. Nixon ad (LivingRoomCandidate)

[Waiting For Everyman]

Background on page:
The Republican nominee, Vice President Richard Nixon, was enjoying a growing reputation for his foreign policy skills after his televised "kitchen debate" with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1959. The Democratic nominee, charismatic Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, was attempting to become the first Catholic president and, at age 43, the youngest man ever elected to the office. Nixon argued that he had the maturity and experience to deal with the Communists, while Kennedy attempted to turn his youth into an advantage, proclaiming in his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention, "We stand today on the edge of a new frontier."

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1960

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The one titled "Nixon's Experience?" is a good one too. The 1960 election was very similar to this one. JFK faced prejudice as a Catholic just like the racial prejudice against Obama. He had the issue of National Security experience, experience in general, and his "youth" to overcome as well. JFK was the youngest President, and still would be if Obama is elected.

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. Jeezzz... how the American mind has changed.

Modern political advertisments rarely contain more than a sentence fragment or two. Apparently that's all we are expected to be able to process. The rest is staging and visual imagery.

Kennedy basically memorized a multi-paragraph, five minute essay and delivered it in real time ( in a televised debate). The campaign braintrust thought it so effective that they repackaged it ( and not much repackaging was necessary) as a paid ad.

[Waiting For Everyman]

2. Yes, that's true.

And news used to actually inform in-depth on issues (correctly). And we used to expect intelligence and competence from high leaders. And Republicans didn't blatantly lie either. Things have changed almost totally.

Obama reminds me of JFK soooo much. (Meaning, I'm old enough to remember that election and his presidency.)

[Waiting For Everyman]

3. Oh, and another change...

I doubt that it cost much to do it. Air time may have been free "public service" then, I'm not sure, but at the least very cheap compared to today.

I think media should have to provide "x amount" of air time to major candidates because it's on public airwaves. The media shouldn't be paid by ANYONE for all of this advertising. Maybe some, but only what is in excess of a given amount to each major candidate.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Don't hold your breath.

>>>I think media should have to provide "x amount" of air time to major candidates because it's on public airwaves. The media shouldn't be paid by ANYONE for all of this advertising. Maybe some, but only what is in excess of a given amount to each major candidate.>>>>

You'll have to wait until there is at least a 2/3 DEM majority in both houses plus a DEM president before this is even fathomable.

Even then: remember, everyone voting on the legislation to change the rules... even the progressives... will be there ( in Congress) because the system AS IT IS NOW worked for them.

It's quite a hole we have allowed our government to dig for us.

[mucifer]

5. Obama's 2 minute commercial was a lot like this one.

Kennedy's was twice as long and it had the advantage of Nixon looking shifty as he's listening to Kennedy.

But, I saw a lot of similarities.

[Princess Turandot]

6. What a great link..

"do you want a man who is old enough to know and young enough to do?"

Jackie doing a commercial in Spanish!

And Nixon! Every one shot with him stiffly sitting on the edge of a desk in an office. Television was his worst enemy.