Remembering and Re-Creating the Great Debates of 1960: Presidential Libraries as Sites for Political Argumentation. Issue 2 (14th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mehltretter Drury, Sara A.; Herbeck, Dale A.
• Is Part Of: Communication quarterly. Volume 64:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 192
• Publication Date: 2016-03-14
• Subjects: Campaigns -- Debates -- Museums -- Political Communication -- Rhetorical Criticism; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: Http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/01463373.2015.1103283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-3373

Abstract

Abstract : The September 26, 1960 presidential debate between Vice President Richard M. Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy is widely regarded as one of the great moments in U.S. politics. As such, it is not surprising that this spectacle is prominently featured in exhibits at both presidential museums. By deftly manipulating physical space, text and artifacts, and televisual elements, the exhibits develop competing narratives about the meaning of this historic event. The close reading of the exhibits contained in this article offers new insights into political debates, the nature of collective memory, and the complicated relationship between substance and appearance in political discourse.