The Election of 1960

The Candidate: Nixon

Republican Current Vice President under

Eisenhower Eisenhower was a very

popular president House of Representatives,

Senator Self Made man – financially

couldn’t afford Harvard and Yale even with scholarships

Very good debater and orator

The Candidate: Kennedy

Well organized campaign Backing of large and wealthy family Handsome and Charismatic Only 43 years old Inexperienced Catholic

The Results Closest election since 1888 Kennedy won by 119,000 of 68 million votes

cast Had a few thousand more people voted

Republican in TX and IL Nixon would have won

2 issues won Kennedy the election: TV and Civil Rights