The Political Scene | The New Yorker
What to Expect from the Biden-Trump Debate, with the Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin
Jun 21, 2024
Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin joins a discussion on the historical significance of presidential debates, focusing on the upcoming Biden-Trump rematch and insights from the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate. The episode explores the impact of debates on voter perception, leadership qualities, and public discourse, drawing parallels between past and present influences of television and social media on politics.
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Quick takeaways
- Televised debates emphasize style over substance, impacting voter perception.
- Social media era debates face challenges in factual integrity amidst viral moments.
Deep dives
Effect of Televised Presidential Debates on Campaigns
Televised presidential debates, like the historic 1960 Nixon-Kennedy encounter, forever altered modern politics by showcasing candidates directly against each other. Kennedy's performance exemplified the power of TV, emphasizing visual vitality, preparation, and relatability which outshone Nixon's substance-based radio-friendly performance. The debate showcased how style often triumphs over substance on television, emphasizing the impact of presentation and charisma.
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