FORMER GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY "SPARS" WITH
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IN 2012 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
The 2012 Presidential Debates have drawn significant national attention in this election season. If we can set aside the rancor and “in-your-face” contentious behavior from both candidates, there is a more fundamental difference between the Presidential debates in 2012 then the very first ever televised debates between Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy in 1960.
IN 1960, THEN VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON FACES
MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR JOHN F. KENNEDY IN FIRST TELEVISED DEBATE
Today’s 24-hour news cycle and the advent of social media have propelled the national dialogue between presidential candidates to new heights. In addition to the obvious “one-upmanship” that both politicians tried to demonstrate during the 2012 debates, there was the media, the bloggers, and the social media world, that were waiting for either Romney or Obama to commit a major slip-up, a faux-pas, that could then be publicized to the rest of the world, all in real-time. No longer would the “oops!” moment have to wait to become headlines in the major newspapers across the country the next day. We found out about these erroneous or stretched truths almost immediately after the candidate misspoke.
AN ICON OF HIS ERA: PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY
In sharp contrast, in 1960’s first televised presidential debate between then Vice President Richard M. Nixon and Massachusetts's Senator, John F. Kennedy, the debates relied on more traditional media channels, such as newspapers and radio, to reach the majority of Americans who were unable to tune in and watch the debates on their black and white television. For those fortunate citizens who could watch the debates on television, the exchange between the candidates was more civil (at least by today’s standards) and more formal in behavior and the presentation of ideas. Each understood the perceived power and influence that this new medium called television could have on the national election. That’s not to say neither Nixon nor Kennedy suppressed their strong opinions about each other, but they certainly didn’t allow themselves to get caught up in intense arguments. Also, each knew the other since January 20, 1947, as they were sworn in as Congressman that cold winter day.
PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON IN HIS STATELY OFFICE
Back in 1960, people had to rely solely on newspapers, magazines, and radio to get their news. And because television was still in its infancy, although considered to be revolutionary at the time, it would be years after that, that watching regular news programming would became a part of our daily lives.
PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY'S PRESCRIPTION READING GLASSES, A RARE GEM IN PRISTINE CONDITION, CAN BE VIEWED IN THE RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX PRESIDENTIAL COLLECTION. IT WAS WORN BY PRESIDENT KENNEDY, ALTHOUGH HE RARELY LET HIMSELF BE PHOTOGRAPHED WEARING THEM. THS FACTOID MAKES THIS UNIQUE FIND ALL THE MORE RARE AND VALUABLE.
In essence, the significant advances in technology continue to give rise to faster, more innovative communication methods, allowing important moments in our history, such as national presidential debates, to become more than just a headline in tomorrow’s newspaper. Our thirst for immediate knowledge, using social media for example, will allow for citizen journalists to stimulate conversations and discussions, as well as create controversy. Imagine how the presidential debate of 1960 would have been conducted had it had the advanced communications vehicles that we have today?
RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX,
ONE OF AMERICA'S FOREMOST COLLECTORS OF UNIQUE AND RARE HISTORICAL MEMORABILIA
For additional historical facts that may be of interest see: www.AmericanHeritage1.com
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American historian and collector. His full biography can be read on his Wikipedia page.
According to a White House Maid of 30 years, Viola "Big Mama" Wise, this textured Sterling Silver Hairbrush was used on John F. Kennedy, as an infant, as well as many years later, on The Hair of The President's son, JFK Jr., while he was a Toddler at The White House. Apparently, the President and First Lady included this hairbrush among their personal belongings when they arrived at The White House on January 20, 1961.
WHEN JFK & JFK JR'S. HAIR WAS BRUSHED, AS AN INFANT, IT WAS THIS HAIRBRUSH THAT WAS USED
ANOTHER VIVID CLOSE-UP OF JOHN F. KENNEDY'S HAIRBRUSH - FROM THE WHITE HOUSE
Perhaps it was rather automatic that it would be used on JFK JR., and it was. John F. Kennedy Jr., was a small infant when he arrived at the White House in 1961, and Viola Wise sometimes looked after him, which would include brushing JFK jr.'s hair, as needed.
A CAPTIVATING OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPH OF A WHITE HOUSE MAID - FOR 30 YEARS OR SO - VIOLA "BIG MOMMA" WISE - AT WORK IN THE WHITE HOUSE - WEARING HER WHITE HOUSE UNIFORM - WITH HER EVER PRESENT AND ENGAGING SMILE
The Maid, Viola Wise, shared many First Family as well as White House stories with Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, (shown at bottom of this feature), and also several Important Historical Relics. Viola "Big Momma" Wise, was an Important White House contact for Mr. Amyx. She also was the Possessor of a Major Personality and the two often interacted with each other during "Big Momma's" retirement years. Always, Miss Wise provided detailed written Provenance whenever sharing Historical Relics, that were given to her, as a result of her long career at The White House, with her friend, Raleigh DeGeer Amyx.
ROSE KENNEDY & THE FUTURE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
CAROLINE KENNEDY CAUGHT IN A LOVING MOMENT WITH HER BROTHER - JOHN F. KENNEDY JR.
JACQUELINE BOUVIER KENNEDY AS SHE CARES FOR HER SON JOHN F. KENNEDY JR.
Although Maud Shaw was the Nurse that the Kennedys employed and brought to the White House with the First Family, it was sometimes necessary for favored White House Employees to assist with the small growing family. And Viola Wise was one of those Trusted Career White House Employees that sometimes assisted with the care of JFK Jr. and Caroline Kennedy.
THE HAIRBRUSH OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY AND JFK JR. WAS PRESENTED - WELL OVER 25 YEARS AGO - TO COLLECTOR & HISTORIAN - RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX - SHOWN HERE IN 2010
For additional historical facts that may be of interest see: www.AmericanHeritage1.com
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American historian and collector. His full biography can be read on his Wikipedia page.
The Teething Ring of John F. Kennedy Jr., was used in The White House by him as an infant. It is Sterling Silver and is Engraved on the Front and Back. Detailed Provenance, on White House Stationary, Presented in Written Format, is from a White House Maid of 30 Years, Viola "Big Momma" Wise. From time to time "Big Momma" would assist the Nanny, Maud Shaw, and rock and feed the infant Son of John f. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
THE TEETHING RING OF J.F.K. JR. - USED BY HIM IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Viola Wise would often tend to the various needs of the President's and First Lady's Children, Carolyn and JFK Jr. Pictured is an Official White House Photograph of "Big Momma" while at work in The White House. Also, pictured is The President as he walks down The White House Colonnade, very near The Oval Office, with JFK Jr. , as a Toddler.
THE IRRESPRESSIBLE WHITE HOUSE MAID OF LONG STANDING VIOLA "BIG MOMMA" WISE
This Important piece of Presidential Memorabilia is now in The Collection of Raleigh DeGeer Amyx (a.k.a.) The American Heritage Collection. Many other Important pieces of White House Memorabilia are displayed for those that care enough to make an off-site appointment to view The Collection.
PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY STROLLS THE WHITE HOUSE COLONADE WITH J.F.K. JR.
HISTORIAN AND COLLECTOR - RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX
A VIVID CLOSEUP OF JFK JR'S. TEETHING RING
For additional historical facts that may be of interest see: www.AmericanHeritage1.com
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American historian and collector. His full biography can be read on his Wikipedia page.
The Gold Presidential Ring of John F. Kennedy's has recently been located. The Presidents Ring is beautifully displayed in The American Heritage Collection (AKA) The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND HIS FIRST LADY ENJOY A MOMENT OF LEISURE
This Dramatic Presidential Seal Ring, is 18 Karat Gold and was accomplished totally by hand by an unknown, as of this writing, Highly Skilled Goldsmith. The Artistic Presidential Seal 18k Ring total hand-work is rather Breathtaking.
TOTALLY HAND-CRAFTED 18K GOLD RING OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY - AS VIEWED FROM THE TOP OF THE PERSONALIZED PRESIDENTIAL SEAL RING
According to the Artistic and detailed hand-engraving on the interior of the President's 18K Ring, as well as the, even much more Manifest Evidence is the Impeccable and detailed Provenance; on White House Stationery. This Important Letter, was authored by someone who saw President John F. Kennedy each day over a period of many years. The Letter of Provenance outlines the details of this 1963 Historic Gift to The President from The First Lady.
INTERIOR HAND ENGRAVING DENOTING THE FIRST LADY'S GIFT TO PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY IN 1963
The Important White House source of information was not certain of the exact date that First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy presented her husband with this Important Presidential Seal Ring. However, it was believed that the First Ladies Gift was received by JFK sometime toward the end of 1963 – but perhaps as early as The President's May 29th Birthday.
JOHN F. KENNEDYS PRESIDENTIAL SEAL - 18 KARAT HAND-CRAFTED RING HAS LONG BEEN IN THE COLLECTION OF - HISTORIAN AND COLLECTOR RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX 2010
For additional historical facts that may be of interest see: www.AmericanHeritage1.com
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American historian and collector. His full biography can be read on his Wikipedia page.