Kennedy never a sure bet in presidential race

In November 1960, the US was on the verge of a new era. World War II general-turned-politician Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower’s second presidential term was coming to an end and the torch was being passed to a new generation. Eisenhower was to be the last US president born in the 19th century, because the two candidates standing for election, vice president Richard Nixon and senator John F. Kennedy, were both born in the 20th century.

Yet they both represented different visions for the nation. Kennedy’s campaign looked forward with slogans such as “A Time for Greatness” and “Leadership for the 1960s”. While Nixon looked to the past, emphasising his experience as vice president and promising to build on the legacy of “Peace, Experience and Prosperity” established by Eisenhower’s administration.

It would be one of the hardest fought elections in history. It was the first campaign to feature TV debates and the first in which television was used as an effective tool by the winner.

However, despite the later perception that Kennedy was swept to power on a wave of popularity, as a young, glamorous breath of fresh air, the election, which took place 60 years ago today, was an extremely close race, a reflection of a divided nation.

Nixon was a seasoned political campaigner. Born in California in 1913 to a relatively poor family, he studied law at Duke University. Admitted to the bar in 1937, he was rebuffed when he tried to join the FBI, then served in the navy in World War II. He stumbled into politics, winning a seat in congress in 1946 and vigorously threw himself into busting unions and hunting communists.

Eisenhower, a popular general from WWII, chose Nixon as a running mate in 1952, because of his youth, his strong stance on communism and the fact he appealed to Californian voters. Nixon 1956) few were surprised, but most were doubtful he would be elected.

Born in Massachusetts in 1917, to a wealthy family he had also studied law, but at Harvard, and served in WWII, but was an acknowledged war hero. He entered politics in 1946, winning a seat in congress as representative for Massachusetts. In 1952 he beat Henry Cabot Lodge for senate seat. In 1960 he was still something of an outsider, with few major allies in the party. Instead of working his party for support, Kennedy appealed directly to voters, polled well in the primaries and won nomination at the Convention in July, naming Lyndon Johnson as his running mate. Kennedy was depicted as the younger (albeit by only four years) more vigorous candidate. But what few knew was that he suffered a number of medical problems including Addison’s disease and a serious back problem. To keep him going through the campaign he was often pumped with drugs.

He also made the decision not to campaign in every state, but only to focus his attention on the swinging or more populous votes to maximise his time and effort.

Nixon chose to campaign in every state and bumped his knee getting out of a car on the campaign trail, after which it became infected.

He bumped it again on his way to the first TV debate, in September, and sweated profusely on camera.

That and his prominent 5 o’clock shadow made him look nervous and somewhat sinister.

He improved his look and technique for the remaining October debates.

Through the magic of TV they appeared to be together in the same studio. But Kennedy continued to be better in front of a camera and better at using TV generally.

On November 6, polling day, the results gave victory to Kennedy, with 303 Electoral College votes to Nixon’s 219. But the popular vote was close, with a margin of less than one per cent.