The Election of 1960 & the Camelot Years

As 1960 neared, voters were worried because the economy was entering a recession, Russia had launched Sputnik I in 1957, America’s military might appeared to be lagging behind the Soviets’, and Cuba sided with the Soviet Union. The two candidates that ran for the Presidential office in 1960 were Vice President Richard Nixon and Massachusetts senator John Kennedy. Although both candidates had similar positions on many issues, Nixon planned on using Eisenhower’s popularity to boost his own chances, while Kennedy used television and civil rights issues to boost his. Because Kennedy came from a wealthy family, he was able to have a well-organized and well-funded campaign. This greatly aided him, because many voters saw him as too young and inexperienced, and still others did not want a Roman Catholic in office; it could lessen the separation of church and state.

On September 26, 1960, Kennedy and Nixon took part in the first televised presidential debate. Nearly 70 million viewers witnessed this event in action. Although Nixon was more experienced and was an expert on foreign policy, Kennedy spoke better and was more relaxed; he was coached my television producers. From that debate on, American campaigning was mainly done through television. An image could now be used as the “natural language of politics.”

Then in October of that year, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, along with 33 other African-American demonstrators. The others were released, but King was sentenced to months of hard labor under the pretense of a minor traffic violation. Nixon took no public position on this event, while Kennedy personally called King’s wife while his brother persuaded the judge who sentenced King to release him on bail. This greatly pleased the African-American community and helped Kennedy gain votes in the Midwest and South.

Kennedy’s inauguration sparked a new style for the First Family: they were now seen as graceful, elegant, and witty. Kennedy also inspired the country to be optimistic and hopeful, while also asking for commitment and sacrifice. In his famous speech, Kennedy implored Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Kennedy’s youth only aided him in expressing his charm and wit, and even his young and beautiful wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, helped improve his public image. The public did bite the bait. They became enthralled by every aspect of the Kennedy family’s life. John F. Kennedy’s ability to read 1,600 words a minute stirred thousands of people to enroll in speed-reading courses to become like the president, while many others were intrigued by Jacqueline Kennedy’s sense of style and culture. The First Family was well-known and universally liked, especially with the aid of numerous magazines, newspapers, and television programs. Such success and fame reminded many of a modern-day Camelot (the mythical court of King Arthur) because of how idolized the Kennedy family was during this time.

The election of President Kennedy was a turning point in American history; not only did it change the idea of how the First Family should be portrayed, but it also gave the country a new hope and optimistic outlook for the future under the leadership of this youthful, charming, and witty president.

~Michael B. Chun