The 1960 U.S. Presidential Election

Overview

• Date: November 8, 1960
• Significance: First election in which Alaska and Hawaii could participate

Republican Candidate: Richard Nixon

• Vice President under Eisenhower for 8 years
• Competition within the Party: Nelson Rockefeller (Governor of NY, moderate Republican)
  • Rockefeller eventually dropped out
• Running Mate: Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.)
  • Known political family background

Democratic Candidate: John F. Kennedy

• Several other candidates: Pat Brown, Stuart Symington, Adlai Stevenson, Wayne Morse, Lyndon Johnson, and Hubert Humphrey
• Chosen despite criticism for being too young (43 years old)
• Running Mate: Lyndon Johnson (Senate Majority Leader)

Campaign Highlights

• Nixon: Campaigned in all 50 states; injured knee affected his campaign
• Kennedy: Criticized for youth and Catholic faith, but charismatic
  • Lyndon Johnson played a key role in the South

First Televised Debates

• Four debates between Nixon and Kennedy
• Radio listeners favored Nixon; TV viewers favored Kennedy
  • Nixon appeared uncomfortable and tired
  • Kennedy appeared confident and well-rested
  • Television perception likely influenced the election outcome

Election Day and Results

• Kennedy Victory: Closest election since 1916
  • Electoral Votes: Kennedy 303, Nixon 219
  • Popular Vote: Kennedy 49.7%, Nixon 49.6% (separated by ~112,827 votes)
• Controversies: Allegations of voter fraud, especially in Illinois and Texas

Notable Points

• Youth: Kennedy became the youngest elected President at 43
• Religious Factor: Protestant reluctance to elect a Catholic President
• Split Electors: 14 unpledged electors (protest votes) for Harry Byrd, mainly from Mississippi and Alabama

Conclusion

• Lyndon Johnson became the 37th Vice President
• John F. Kennedy became the 35th President, marking a significant electoral and historical milestone

Next steps

• Look forward to more insights in future election discussions