John F. Kennedy Is Elected President

Setting the scene

Senator John F. Kennedy faced Vice President Richard Nixon in the first presidential campaign dominated by television. Kennedy, 43, was a Catholic from Massachusetts; Nixon, 47, stressed experience under Eisenhower during the Cold War and a slowing economy.

What happened

Kennedy won in November 1960 by about 118,000 popular votes—0.17 percent—and 303 electoral votes to Nixon's 219. Allegations of vote fraud in Illinois and Texas lingered, but Nixon conceded; the televised debates, especially the first on September 26, boosted Kennedy's image.

Why it still matters

Kennedy's inaugural call to 'ask what you can do for your country' and programs like the Peace Corps and Apollo moon goal defined early-1960s optimism cut short by assassination. Memorable detail: Kennedy appeared tan and rested on TV while Nixon, recovering from illness, sweated under studio lights, swaying viewers who heard the radio broadcast thought Nixon had won.

Background

The razor-thin margin included televised debate impact.