The Good Ole Campus: A Look Back at the 1960s

As campaign season rolls around, this column decided to look back at the talk on campus during the famous 1960 election between Kennedy and Nixon. Such issues of concern were Kennedy’s Catholicism, his plans for a welfare state and the newfound presidential television debate.

The March 31, 1960 article reported on polling results showing the faculty’s strong support for Kennedy but a divide between student independents.

“Kennedy Beats Nixon Among Independents As Faculty Strongly Opposes Republican”
By Edward S. Rothchild

Overall results of the presidential preference poll conducted last month by the Middlebury Political Council showed that … the first choice of 99 Democrats is Senator John Kennedy, while the 330 Republicans pick Vice President Richard Nixon. Kennedy beats Nixon as the favorite … among independents. This last figure is largely due to the violently anti-Nixon sentiments expressed by the faculty and administration personnel who replied. Limiting the results to students, Nixon beats Kennedy by a very slim margin among Independents.

On April 28, 1960, a columnist addressed the impact of Kennedy’s religion on his ability to be an effective president.
By Guest Columnist, assistant to the chaplain, F. Dale Branum

A storm of controversy has recently arisen as to whether a Roman Catholic (John F. Kennedy) can or should be elected president. In spite of the fact that all candidates have stated that religious affiliation should not be considered at all by the voter, it is a question that should be given careful thought by every citizen. It cannot be simply ignored ... I see no reason why Kennedy’s Catholicism should be counted for or against him. Indeed, if elected, it is likely that Kennedy will be more resistant to Catholic pressure than a non-Catholic.
But now we come to the question: Can a Catholic be elected? There is no intrinsic reason why he could not, but the prospect is doubtful … His religious affiliation should not affect the votes – but it will.

The November 3, 1960 issue reported on a mock presidential debate on campus, the national television debate and plans for the actual election night.

“Nixon Victorious in Mock Election”
A mock presidential election, conducted by the Middlebury Political Council last Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. showed Nixon to be victorious by a 216-118 margin.
Donald Rubin ’61, president of the Young Republicans commented on the outcome of the poll: “This victory indicates the independent thinking and optimistic outlook of college youth who will not tolerate the welfarism inherent in Kennedy’s program.”

“Nixon-Kennedy Debates Leave Three Questions Unanswered”
By Gordon Henderson

The future of a TV debate must remain very much in doubt. Much will depend on who is elected next Tuesday, on what effect the ‘political  analyists’ decide the debates had on the election’s outcome and finally on how much public demand there is for this type of thing in 1964.
Also, Nixon’s performance on the fourth debate undoubtedly solidified hatred of the Vice President always latent in the hearts of many Democrats. The Vice President’s statements may have been welcomed by Republicans, but may they not have done him great harm in the end by driving Democrats into the Kennedy-Democrats’ arms?

“Election Night”
Proctor Hall’s lounge will remain open until 2 a.m. Tuesday night, according to Lyn Hinman, social director. Coffee and donuts will be served from 11 a.m. until 2 for late election – return watchers.