The first presidential debate was televised on Sept. 26, 1960, and since then Americans have viewed candidates through televised production.
Since the election of 1960, televised debates have become an expected part of the election routine. The image of the candidate is now the primary way people decide their vote.
Televisions became commercialized in the 1950s, consumers were introduced to an entire new form of entertainment.
Televisions brought Americans a way to turn a nob and watch everything from cartoons, game shows and news broadcasts. Television hyped the idea of the first presidential debate. John F. Kennedy, a young and charismatic Senator from Massachusetts went head to head with Vice President Richard Nixon. Over 66 million people tuned in and watched the debate. It is still regarded as one of the most watched television programs in TV history.
The Kennedy-Nixon debate has conditioned viewers to a new form of heightened judgment. Compared to the 2016 presidential election, the first debate featured Kennedy and Nixon discussing issues of their time with a moderator and four panel members from various news stations.
Kennedy was the obvious victor, not only in part because of his political views but also because of his appearance. Americans were able to see someone who looked the part of a President on a new form of visual media. Kennedy voiced his opinion and visually brought the whole package home.
Compare that to his opponent Nixon, who refused to wear any make up for the camera and appeared more like a haggard businessman. Nixon later refused to do any more future televised debates since he believed his looks cost him the election to Kennedy.
Over the years, technology has grown from radio to television and now to the Internet and social media, where streaming video content is available to the majority of the population. As many political candidates have emerged and succeeded in either making it to the nomination or all the way to the White House, there’s no question that their televised image has been an asset.
But with that technology, has it been progressive? Since Nixon and Kennedy people have found a set of ideologies with how they choose their candidate. Today, however, the debates have become a screaming match without mention of pertinent issues.
The very first presidential debate had little to no banter without a studio audience and the candidates still held a professional and upright demeanor. Neither Kennedy nor Nixon talked out of turn, and there were even moments when they would respectfully acknowledge the others view and go into why they may agree and disagree with that view.
Now, it seems that sides have become so overborn with a split divide that the idea of being civil or respectful at all has completely disintegrated.
Thanks to the ever-growing state of technology, the presidential election has become more of a televised, gladiatorial, spectacle and audiences have been hungry for a virtual bloodbath.
This year, the presidential election coverage has become the most talked about and most watched ever in history. Over 84 million people watched the Trump and Clinton debates, and were able to access it not only from their TV screens, but also through online streaming.
Audiences can criticize at how unprofessional they are, which is true, especially when one of them is a former “reality” TV star.
Mr. Trump is a product of how technology in television has evolved in the way consumers view the world through reality television and by extension their politics. He sees the political spheres as a circus, so he acts as if it is one. Clinton has her flaws as well, but at least she, like President Kennedy, understood the world of politics and the American people. Clinton has a telegenic appearance and addresses issues in the manner a president should.
But as audiences continue to tune in, they expect to see (or perhaps may want to see) a showdown. It may add to the problem of being so dependent on the outlet of TV that people have associated it with entertainment. People seek new thrills and gossip to talk about, rather than a focus on the issues.
Justin Johnson can be reached at [email protected]