1960
Both Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy used political commercials, but their impact was greatly overshadowed by the first televised debates in a presidential campaign. Scholars point to the debates as the first time television made a discernible difference in an election.

The telegenic Kennedy was greatly helped in the first debate when he squared off against a tired and ill Nixon. Radio listeners to the debate felt Nixon had done better, but television viewers clearly favored JFK.

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