Term: Election of 1960 and Television (scroll down for definition)

Definition: Election of 1960 and Television

Richard Nixon used television to save his spot as a V.P. Candidate in 1952 when he went on television to appeal to the nation amidst accusations he had an illegal money fund as a Senator. Nixon gave his heartwarming "Checkers Speech" in which he denied wrongdoing. In the speech he talked about his dog Checkers, a campaign contribution, who he was keeping because his kids loved it so much. Television saved his spot on Eisenhower's ticket.

Television was not good for Nixon in 1960 during his Presidential debates with Democrat John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Nixon appeared to have won the four debates on television, but the charisma and charm of the youthful Kennedy may have been more appealing to voters. Kennedy won the election.

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