Debate Attribute Evaluation Sheet
Watch the debate several times and listen carefully for instances where each
attribute is displayed, then record TWO examples of each attribute for both
candidates.
Attribute Richard M. Nixon John F. Kennedy
Knowledg 1. He speaks about
e of hydroelectric power and is
Issues well-informed. “In these
seven and a half years, we
have produced more
hydroelectric power than any
previous administration in
history.”
2. He discusses the national
debt and the Soviet Union.
Presents 1. He used terms like
Issues so "deadly" to describe the
they are United States' attitude
Easily toward war. He was very
Understo transparent and
od straightforward on how
America could address both
internal and external issues
in order to move forward.
2. During his debate
addresses, he discussed
economic prosperity and
government spending.
Attribute Richard M. Nixon John F. Kennedy
Assertivene 1. When discussing the
ss Truman administration, he
said, "we find that the prices
1. Kennedy presents many of his
statistics in a way that demonstrates his
understanding of them, such as the 9
billion dollars’ worth of food and some
of it rotting, the unused 50 percent of
steel mill capacity, and the Soviet Union
producing twice as many scientists and
engineers as the United States.
2. He went on to say that he wanted
government support for education.
1. He speaks slowly but precisely so
that the viewer can keep up with him,
and he repeats the phrase "I'm not
done" so that people can keep up with
where he's going.
2. He points out that Nixon is a
Republican who “has rejected federal
funding for education, medical care for
the elderly, creation of the Tennessee
valley, [and] development of our natural
resources.”
1. Kennedy expresses his belief that
America is not doing enough and that
it has the potential to be a great and
 you pay increased five times strong nation.
as much in the Truman
administration as they did in 2. He says, "I believe Mr. Nixon is a
the Eisenhower successful party leader, and I hope
administration." he will give me the same." The
question is which point of view and
2. He uses the phrase "we which political party we want to lead
have the code" to emphasize the United States.” He poses the
that everyone in the United question that everybody wants to
States, including himself and know.
Kennedy, is in it together.

Ability to 1. He would "piggyback" on 1. He brought up the topic of Soviet

Improvise what Kennedy had said in
his previous address, saying,
"...in the areas Senator
Kennedy has addressed
tonight..."
2. He was able to transform
stressful situations into
potentially positive ones for
the future.
Premier Nikita Khrushchev during the
first round of the debate. He turned
around and asked the crowd, "Are we
doing anything we possibly can?"
2. He can be seen writing down
evidence that Nixon introduces in his
first round and then "piggybacking"
on them.

Appearanc 1. He wore a grey suit to the 1. He wore a blue suit and a shirt that
e televised debate, giving the made him stand out more by
impression that he was fitting reducing the glare from the cameras.
in with the set. It
demonstrated that he was
not at his best in that
situation.

Attribute Richard M. Nixon John F. Kennedy

2. He grinned a lot and 2. When speaking about a subject, he

stared more at Kennedy than faced his true audience and looked at
at the camera, as if he was the camera. He was more interactive
trying to win over his real with the audience than Nixon.
audience.

Personali 1. He smiled a lot when he 1. He is very optimistic about America's

ty said something optimistic,
(Warmth, such as, "I absolutely
Charisma subscribe to the spirit
, Wit) senator Kennedy has shared
tonight." He didn't dismiss
him and began his speech
with humility.
2. He gave a lot of smiles to
the camera and to his rival,
Kennedy.
future as he says, "I want [other
countries] at look to America to see how
we are doing stuff." He is also very
straightforward and gets his point
across on how he really wants the best
for the country and how we must
improve.
2. He spoke well of previous presidents,
such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, saying,
"Franklin Roosevelt was a good
neighbor to Latin America because he
was a