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The U.S. Presidential Election of 1960 was unlike any other. It changed the landscape of political campaigns and brought to the forefront of the battle – the use of the television screen. It was the first televised presidential debate between the young dashing John F. Kennedy and the pale sickly looking Richard M. Nixon. Of course I wasn’t alive, but the stories from my grandparents and mother watching it on the big TV screen resonated with me as a student of politics and as someone who worked in TV. I always wondered what it would have been like to be the first generation to watch the TV debates unfold into what we now expect from every presidential cycle.
Well guess what? I got my wish.
Tonight the first ever election TV debate for England’s Prime Minister is about to hit the TV screens. I would argue that most Americans don’t know much about UK politics. Yes, this is true. But I bet even those interested in politics had no idea that the UK never had a televised political debate between those running for the office of Prime Minister. I will admit I certainly had no idea before I moved to London.
But tonight it all changes. I get to witness history being made. I get to watch television history unfold before my eyes. I will one day tell my grandchildren or some random children I meet on the street in 30 years that I was sitting at home in London with a bag of popcorn and orange juice watching Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg battle it out with words. Of course by then the television will be extinct and we will be wired with some sort of Apple device where we can watch anything anywhere. But enough about the future, today is about the moment and tonight is about history being made on the big TV screens of everyone living in the UK.
Of course no one resembles the young dashing and charming JFK, but I will say that Gordon Brown could definitely play the role of Nixon. Poor Gordon, I actually like him. Whatever the case may be, I do have one word of advice for all three men if they happen to read this blog. Make sure to wear make-up and look tan. Make-up makes all the difference. Even young dashing Kennedy knew that. He sent out his aide to buy Mac make-up after declining make-up from the TV studio in front of Nixon.
Good luck to all three men and may the best man win.
