The interesting thing that the author leaves out is that at the time of the 1960 debate RADIO listeners scored the debate in Nixon’s favor because of the depth of his answers. The TV viewers were swayed by the younder Kennedy and the fact that Nixon began to sweat on his upper lip from the studio lights.
This was the beginning of the TV-era style over substance issue.
Yes, that’s right. Nixon also refused any makeup. He didn’t yet understand that makeup is essential for TV cameras to make you look anything other than undead. Between that and the five o’clock shadow, the sweat from the lights... He looked awful.