In this US presidential election year, the ‘Irish Examiner’ looks at past races and how they shaped the nation. The televised Great Debates had a significant impact on voters in 1960, on national elections since, and, indeed, on our concerns for democracy itself. “The Great Debates had a significant impact beyond the election of 1960, as well. “Perhaps most important, the Great Debates forced citizens to rethink how democracy would work in a television era. Perhaps as no other single event, the Great Debates forced us to ponder the role of television in democratic life.

Source: Irish Examiner April 10, 2020 22:52 UTC