In an essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources for support, take a position that defends, challenges, or qualifies the claim that television has had a positive impact on presidential elections.
The first televised debate in America was a turning point in history. For the first time, voters watched as Nixon and Kennedy battled it out, right before their eyes. Kennedy won over America's heart with his calm demeanor, while Nixon might have lost a few votes with his "fuzzed" appearance (Source C). These debates have come a long way since 1960. While I concede that televised debates before presidential elections do influence voters and candidates alike, I maintain that candidates are still concerned with pursuing issues.
Candidates must be kept up-to-date on all the issues, at all times. The argument that candidates are consumed by image is invalid. (Who can forget when Sarah Palin answered a question on foreign policy with, “I can see Russia from my house!”?) While America is still a nation obsessed with vanity, the people still desire a leader. The debates provide a “new, direct, and sensitive link…” that allows the public to visualize each candidate in office (Source A). America is not a country to act blindly- the people want to know who is going to run the nation. The act of debating, putting the candidates under a great deal of stress, forces them into “rhetorical contortion” (Source F). They might be concerned with image, but who can be overly concerned when the clock is ticking, ticking, and there is an entire platform to be expressed and illustrated to the American public.
All this is not to say that candidates are not at all concerned with image. America is, once again, a nation almost consumed by image. A candidate who is not only physically attractive, but also engages in charitable acts is likely to pull in many votes. However, this desperation to score votes can sometimes be too much. It can become more like a fan “question and answer” session than a political event- such as Clinton’s answer to the question regarding his underwear (Source B). While it might have been interesting to some, it had no political relevance whatsoever. The “mass scrutiny” endured by politicians is unreal (Source C). The country is concerned with political views but at times even more concerned with the latest scandal. As Koppel stated, the “ultimate irony” is the fact that America only sees what is approved (Source F). The debate may last hours, but only approved segments are aired.
There may be many disagreements regarding image and issues in elections, but both sides can at least agree that candidates, even presidents, are influenced by TV and image. Lyndon Johnson modeled this when he changed his strategy in Vietnam and did not run for a second term after a reporter aired a story about the truth about the war (Source E). If a candidate were to enter a debate and make no political statement, he or she would be highly ridiculed. However, if a candidate were to enter a debate and make no jokes or asides, the public would write him off as being too serious. These debates help the nation see who has the ability to best lead the nation.
Debates do not encourage candidates to be consumed by image because America requires a brain to back up the image. Any candidate who does not have a solid platform, an ease with public speaking, and original ideas to help the country will not be taken seriously.
In the end, America will elect the candidate it feels will put it on top. It will not elect one who is too concerned with image. It will not elect one who is too serious. The public will vote for whoever will best run the country. Image may have a great deal of power, but ideas and knowledge will win the votes.
Candidates must be kept up-to-date on all the issues, at all times. The argument that candidates are consumed by image is invalid. (Who can forget when Sarah Palin answered a question on foreign policy with, “I can see Russia from my house!”?) While America is still a nation obsessed with vanity, the people still desire a leader. The debates provide a “new, direct, and sensitive link…” that allows the public to visualize each candidate in office (Source A). America is not a country to act blindly- the people want to know who is going to run the nation. The act of debating, putting the candidates under a great deal of stress, forces them into “rhetorical contortion” (Source F). They might be concerned with image, but who can be overly concerned when the clock is ticking, ticking, and there is an entire platform to be expressed and illustrated to the American public.
All this is not to say that candidates are not at all concerned with image. America is, once again, a nation almost consumed by image. A candidate who is not only physically attractive, but also engages in charitable acts is likely to pull in many votes. However, this desperation to score votes can sometimes be too much. It can become more like a fan “question and answer” session than a political event- such as Clinton’s answer to the question regarding his underwear (Source B). While it might have been interesting to some, it had no political relevance whatsoever. The “mass scrutiny” endured by politicians is unreal (Source C). The country is concerned with political views but at times even more concerned with the latest scandal. As Koppel stated, the “ultimate irony” is the fact that America only sees what is approved (Source F). The debate may last hours, but only approved segments are aired.
There may be many disagreements regarding image and issues in elections, but both sides can at least agree that candidates, even presidents, are influenced by TV and image. Lyndon Johnson modeled this when he changed his strategy in Vietnam and did not run for a second term after a reporter aired a story about the truth about the war (Source E). If a candidate were to enter a debate and make no political statement, he or she would be highly ridiculed. However, if a candidate were to enter a debate and make no jokes or asides, the public would write him off as being too serious. These debates help the nation see who has the ability to best lead the nation.
Debates do not encourage candidates to be consumed by image because America requires a brain to back up the image. Any candidate who does not have a solid platform, an ease with public speaking, and original ideas to help the country will not be taken seriously.
In the end, America will elect the candidate it feels will put it on top. It will not elect one who is too concerned with image. It will not elect one who is too serious. The public will vote for whoever will best run the country. Image may have a great deal of power, but ideas and knowledge will win the votes.