I really enjoyed the article in the museum of broadcast communications. I think this definitely reinstates what I wrote earlier about turning the election into more of a beauty competition. I have heard people makes claims that Kennedy won the debate because he looked so much better than who he was standing next too. On the other hand I think giving Americans the opportunity to actually see the candidate for him or herself is more meaningful then reading someone’s interpretation of the debates the next day. For better or worst televised debates definitely altered the way Americans view the presidential election.

 

I think it’s funny that people are more or less surprised when a presidential candidate does something like look down at his watch, sighs loudly or sweats during a debate. I think the American public is surprised to see that the candidates are not necessarily great debaters. Unfortunately, I think that is the nature of politics today. Gone are the days of presidents who actually write their own speeches and have to impress a crowd with their ability to debate their point of view.