The First Televised Presidential Debate Quiz

What significant event took place on September 26, 1960, that changed the modern political landscape?

• The first televised presidential debate

• The signing of the Civil Rights Act

• The launch of the first satellite

• The end of World War II

Who were the participants in the first nationally televised presidential debate?

• Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy

• Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson

• Lyndon B. Johnson and Barry Goldwater

• Harry S. Truman and Thomas E. Dewey

How many Americans watched the first televised presidential debate?

• 50 million

• 70 million

• 30 million

• 90 million

What was one of the impacts of the first televised presidential debate?

• It decreased voter turnout

• It made politics an electronic spectator sport

• It led to the end of televised debates

• It had no significant impact

Who was the producer assigned by CBS to manage the first televised presidential debate?

• Don Hewitt

• Walter Cronkite

• Edward R. Murrow

• Dan Rather

What was the result of Kennedy using his own makeup team before the debate?

• Kennedy looked and sounded good on television.

• Kennedy looked pale and tired.

• Kennedy refused to wear makeup.

• Kennedy lost the debate.

How many percentage points did Nixon lead by in the national polls before the debate?

• Six percentage points

• Three percentage points

• Ten percentage points

• Two percentage points

Who was Nixon's running mate during the debates?

• Henry Cabot Lodge

• Lyndon B. Johnson

• Gerald Ford

• Ronald Reagan

Who established the current tradition of televised presidential debates in every general election?

• Gerald Ford

• Richard Nixon

• John F. Kennedy

• Ronald Reagan

What was seen as a key factor in Carter's win over Ford?

• Ford's statement about Soviet domination

• Ford's strong debate performance

• Carter's refusal to debate

• Ford's makeup choice