Read the excerpts from "opening statements from John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon First Televised Debate."

Question

Kennedy: This is a great country, but I think it could be a greater country; and this is a powerful country, but I think it could be a more powerful country. I'm not satisfied to have fifty percent of our steel-mill capacity unused. I'm not satisfied when the United States had last year the lowest rate of economic growth of any major industrialized society in the world.

Nixon: Let's put it in terms that all of us can understand. We often hear gross national product discussed and in that respect may I say that when we compare the growth in this Administration with that of the previous Administration that then there was a total growth of eleven percent over seven years; in this Administration there has been a total growth of nineteen per cent over seven years. That shows that there's been more growth in this Administration than in its predecessor.

Question
Which best analyzes a difference in the evidence used by each speaker to reach his conclusion?

Responses

Kennedy makes a common assertion about how he will improve the U.S. steel industry; Nixon uses facts to demonstrate that the steel industry, while not perfect, has come a long way in the past seven years.

Kennedy makes a common assertion about how he will improve the U.S. steel industry; Nixon uses facts to demonstrate that the steel industry, while not perfect, has come a long way in the past seven years.

Kennedy compares U.S. steel production to that of other countries to show that the U.S. is lagging; Nixon compares steel production now to steel production during the Truman presidency to show that it is forging ahead.

Kennedy compares U.S. steel production to that of other countries to show that the U.S. is lagging; Nixon compares steel production now to steel production during the Truman presidency to show that it is forging ahead.

Kennedy uses facts to compare U.S. economic growth with other industrialized nations, which show the U.S. is lagging; Nixon uses facts to compare the economic growth during this presidency to that during the previous one, which shows that the economy is improving.

Kennedy uses facts to compare U.S. economic growth with other industrialized nations, which show the U.S. is lagging; Nixon uses facts to compare the economic growth during this presidency to that during the previous one, which shows that the economy is improving.

Kennedy uses specific statistics to argue that economic growth in the U.S. is lagging behind other nations; Nixon relies on common assertions and opinions, rather than facts, to show that the U.S.'s economic growth is forging ahead.

Answer 1

The best analysis of the difference in the evidence used by each speaker to reach his conclusion is:

Kennedy uses facts to compare U.S. economic growth with other industrialized nations, which show the U.S. is lagging; Nixon uses facts to compare the economic growth during this presidency to that during the previous one, which shows that the economy is improving.

This response accurately captures the distinct approaches taken by Kennedy and Nixon. Kennedy focuses on the U.S.'s performance in a broader international context, highlighting a perceived deficiency compared to other countries. In contrast, Nixon evaluates the current administration's performance against the previous one, suggesting that the economy is on an upward trajectory.