There were three presidential debates between Kennedy and Richard Nixon, the Republican candidate. On September 26, 70 million viewers watched the first televised presidential debate in American history. Prior to the first debate, Nixon two weeks ago in the hospital due to a leg injury, was wearing a beard and did not want makeup. He looked tense and uncomfortable, while Kennedy seemed relaxed. At the end of the debate, most of the audience gave Kennedy the winner. But those who listened to the radio either gave Nixon the winner or said the result was a draw. On October 7 the second debate was held and the third and last debate was held on October 13. Television debates are now considered fundamental in American politics, but they were debated in the 1960s Kennedy-Nixon, with no time when television was a dominant role in politics. After the debate, a Kennedy campaign gained momentum, overtaking Nixon on some points in most polls. On Tuesday, November 8, 1960, Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in one of the most open presidential presidencies of the twentieth century. No national popular vote, Kennedy wins with 49.7% of the votes against 49.5% of the competitor, while the Electoral College won with 303 votes against 219 (269 were needed to win).
