The Actual First Televised Presidential Debate

We recently learned that the first televised presidential debate occurred during the 1960 election between Nixon and JFK. But in actuality, the first televised Presidential debate occurred four years earlier during the 1956 election between Adlai Stevenson and Dwight D Eisenhower. Adlai and Eisenhower had sent surrogates from their respective political parties to participate in the debate. The Democrats sent former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Republicans sent senator Margaret smith. This event also signified the first televised presidential debate between two women. Eleanor Roosevelt ended up being an integral part of Adlai's campaign in clinching his nomination and being named, "the heroine of the convention." Margaret Smith was also an expert politician taking on John McCarthy and leading the Republican party in many ways.

The forum for the debate was held on a CBS program called 'Face the Nation.'  The event took place two days before the election and focus primarily on foreign policy. Both Margaret Smith and Eleanor Roosevelt had deeply respected each other beforehand, but the events of the debate left bitter feelings between them. Mrs. Smith had requested a 2-minute section to include closing remarks, which would help voice her opinion against a more talkative Roosevelt. While Roosevelt had dominated the debate, Margaret's sharp change in tone during her closing remarks had angered Roosevelt to the point where they wouldn't even shake hands. This first debate was filled with significant contrast and tension, and also to this date, it is undecided who won. An often overshadowed discussion, the discussion between Eleanor Roosevelt and Margaret Smith, marked a huge turning point in how presidential elections were carried out.

A picture of Eleanor Roosevelt and Margaret Smith During the 1956 Debate