Politics and Television
Few inventions have had as much effect on contemporary American society as television. Before 1945 the number of U.S. homes with television sets could be measured in the thousands. The number of television sets in use rose from 6,000 in 1946 to some 12 million by 1951. No new invention entered American homes faster than black and white television sets; by 1955 half of all U.S. homes had one.
1960 debates between Kennedy and Nixon
The election of a young and vital president in 1960, John F. Kennedy, seemed to provide evidence of how profoundly television would change politics. Commentators pointed to the first televised debate that fall between Kennedy, the Democratic candidate for president, and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon, the Republican's nominee. A survey of those who listened to the debate on radio indicated that Nixon had won; however, those who watched on television, and were able to contrast Nixon's poor posture and poorly shaven face with Kennedy's poise and grace, were more likely to think Kennedy had won the debate. Nixon had underestimated the importance of his television appearance. |
1963 address by President Kennedy to the nation
John F. Kennedy spent his short, three years as president using his skill as a speaker to deliver the precisely crafted words of his speeches. The result was a body of oration and media performance that endures in popular culture. In 1963, President Kennedy delivered a remarkable, nationally televised address on race and democracy that would stand out as Kennedy’s finest moment as president. Calling the issue of civil rights a “moral issue” that required strong political leadership and public policy including a strong civil rights bill, Kennedy gave the boldest speech on race relations ever given by a president up until that time. |
1956, 1960, and 1964 campaign advertisements
Television became a powerful political tool in the 1950s and 60s. Commercials sold everything from chewing gum to presidents. In 1952 Eisenhower became the first Republican in the White House after five terms of Democrats. His televised campaign advertisements were proof that a candidate needed to be able to work with television to get elected. Kennedy’s 1960 campaign jingle is considered one of the most memorable in political history. It looked and sounded like the introduction to a sitcom. The “Daisy” commercial from Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 campaign for president is an infamous example of the power of television in politics. The advertisement was only aired once and never mentioned Johnson’s opponent by name, but profoundly influenced television audiences. |
1965 news coverage of the Vietnam War
While the overwhelming majority of television news reports on the Vietnam War were supportive of U.S. policy, television news film of the fighting sometimes gave Americans back home an unfamiliar, harsh, and unromantic view of combat. The broadcast of disturbing footage from Vietnam on television gave the public a daily dose of the horrors of war and swayed public opinion against the war. The focus on Vietnam in the television eventually brought the Johnson administration to its knees. |