4. The Kennedy/Nixon Debate
After two terms as Vice President, Richard Nixon did what most Vice Presidents go on to do...he ran for President. An easy Primary win secured Nixon, and his Vice Presidential candidate, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., the Republican ticket. Opposing their White House run was a young upstart by the name of John F. Kennedy Jr.: a war hero, a Senator, and a handsome/well connected political player all rolled into one. Nixon would eventually lose to Kennedy, and one of the major reasons cited for this loss was that of Nixon's disastrous appearance during the first ever televised Presidential Debate. Battling illness (which caused him to sweat), clothed in a grey suit (which blended with the background), and appearing unshaven; Nixon was no match for the well groomed, and undeniably camera ready youth of future President Kennedy. Defeated, Nixon would take one more political stab with his Gubernatorial bid in California's 1962 election, only to be met with further rejection which prompted most to write him off as a political force. Even he believed it was the end of his career in politics, as he stated in his concession, "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference".