1960

44A-1067133

Although the candidates concentrated on the issues in 1960, the cartoonists focused on the role of the media. The Republicans urged measures for defense against Communism, while the Democrats pushed civil rights at home. Although television had been used extensively before, Republican nominee Richard Nixon and Democratic candidate John Kennedy were the first to meet in debate on nationwide television (44A-1067133). Kennedy got off to a better start, and it was probably his projection of an image of confidence that helped disperse any anxieties over his youth. Nixon was ridiculed for his attempts to "make everything perfectly clear."(44B-1067134, 44C-1067135)

44B-1067134

Recalling the 1956 campaign to "clean up Nixon's image," cartoonist Osborn parodies his attempts to cover up his past and his appeal to his dog Checkers in his vindication speech of 1952 (44D-1067136, 44E-1067137). As the election approached, Eisenhower came into the campaign, hoping his popularity would rub off on Nixon, according to cartoonist Bill Mauldin (44F-1067138). Whether anything rubbed off is not certain; Kennedy won a narrow victory.