The myth behind 'winning' the debate

Washington

LET'S start by challenging a myth about American presidential campaigns: No one really "wins" a presidential debate, if by "winning" we mean that the candidate's performance in the Super Bowl of the presidential campaign improves his or her chances of winning the election.

In the first televised presidential debate in 1960, viewers thought that Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy (JFK) looked more appealing than his Republican opponent Richard Nixon, who was sweating and had a "five-o'clock shadow". Interestingly enough, those who were listening to the debate on the radio were more impressed by Mr Nixon than by Mr Kennedy.