These televised debates between Vice-president Richard Nixon and Senator John Kennedy in 1960 changed forever the form and content of national elections in the United States. For the first time a candidate's attractiveness on television was the ammunition for a political attack. Nixon's poor makeup — an aide plastered his face to cover up his naturally heavy beard — made him appear washed out compared to the youthful, tan-faced Kennedy. Many commentators have claimed that Nixon lost the election because of his appearance. Indeed, Kennedy used the vice-president's appearance as campaign fodder throughout the rest of the election. At a campaign stop in New Mexico, Kennedy responded to Nixon's claims that the senator was a barefaced liar: Two days ago, the Republican candidate, Mr. Nixon, quoted me as having said that the Republicans had always opposed Social Security, and in that wonderful choice of words which distinguishes him as a national.....
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