The impact of televised debates on the political history of the United States.

The first televised debate in the history of the United States was a milestone that forever changed the way political candidates communicate with the public and shape their electoral strategies. This Thursday, a new chapter will be written in the political history of the United States as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump face off in a debate expected to address crucial issues leading up to the 2024 presidential elections. The importance of these televised debates dates back to the distant year of 1960, when Democratic Senator John F. Kennedy and Republican Vice President Richard Nixon faced each other in a meeting that left an indelible mark on the history of political communication in the United States. On that occasion, Kennedy and Nixon demonstrated their command of the main political agenda topics of the time, such as the space race with the Soviet Union and the Civil Rights Movement. The debate between Kennedy and Nixon, held in Chicago and broadcast by CBS, was a highly promoted event that attracted the attention of millions of viewers. The preparation for the debate was marked by peculiar circumstances, such as Nixon's knee injury that led him to the hospital shortly before the meeting and his subsequent refusal to use makeup on stage, unlike Kennedy, who appeared on camera looking healthier and tanned. The impact of image on television was a determining factor in the public's perception of who had won the debate. While those who watched it on television tended to favor Kennedy, those who listened to the debate on the radio leaned towards Nixon, highlighting the importance of image and presentation in the television era. Despite differences in viewer perception, the debate between Nixon and Kennedy had a significant impact on the electoral campaign and the final election result. According to Pierre Salinger, Kennedy's press secretary at the White House, without those debates, Kennedy's election would have been much more difficult, underscoring the relevance of these encounters in influencing public opinion and voter decision-making. The development of technology and media has amplified the reach and influence of political debates, making them a crucial stage for candidates to present their proposals, contrast their visions, and win the favor of the electorate. In this context, the upcoming debate between Biden and Trump stands out as a key moment in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential elections, where both candidates will seek to convey their messages and capture the attention of an increasingly diverse and demanding electorate. The experience of the debate between Nixon and Kennedy reminds us of the importance of political communication in shaping the image of leaders and the influence they can exert on public opinion. In an increasingly interconnected and media-driven world, televised debates have become a fundamental element in candidates' strategies and in shaping citizens' political will. The legacy of the first televised debate in the United States remains relevant today, marking a before and after in how political encounters are conceived and carried out in the era of digital communication and social media. The Biden-Trump debate is part of this tradition of media confrontations that not only define the course of an electoral campaign but also shape the political history of a country built through words and images on the screen.