Read these questions posed by President Kennedy in the opening statements of the first televised presidential debate.

Question

"By 1965 or 1970 will there be other Cubas in Latin America? Will Guinea and Ghana, which have now voted with the Communists frequently as newly independent countries of Africa, will there be others? Will the Congo go Communist? Will other countries?"

How does these rhetorical questions advance Kennedy's appeal to the voters?

Responses

He wants his voters to decide whether we should restore relationships with the communist countries since there are more and more of them emerging throughout the world.
He wants his voters to decide whether we should restore relationships with the communist countries since there are more and more of them emerging throughout the world.

He wants his voters to think about how the world might be if Nixon were to become win because the communism's popularity had risen during Eisenhower's administration.
He wants his voters to think about how the world might be if Nixon were to become win because the communism's popularity had risen during Eisenhower's administration.

He wants his voters to think about how successful communism had become in other countries, so he is thinking about using some parts of it if he were to be elected.
He wants his voters to think about how successful communism had become in other countries, so he is thinking about using some parts of it if he were to be elected.

He wants his voters to think about how the United States should be promoting democracy to the communist countries in order to limit its spread throughout the world.
He wants his voters to think about how the United States should be promoting democracy to the communist countries in order to limit its spread throughout the world.

Answer 1

The rhetorical questions posed by President Kennedy in the debate serve to highlight the urgency and seriousness of the threat posed by the spread of communism. By asking whether there could be more "Cubas" or other countries leaning toward communism, he is framing the political landscape in stark terms and emphasizing the potential consequences of inaction. Let's analyze the responses based on this understanding:

1. He wants his voters to decide whether we should restore relationships with the communist countries since there are more and more of them emerging throughout the world.

   • While this reflects a concern about relationships with communist nations, it misses the point that Kennedy is focusing on preventing the spread of communism, rather than restoring relationships.

2. He wants his voters to think about how the world might be if Nixon were to win because communism's popularity had risen during Eisenhower's administration.

   • This response identifies a key strategy of Kennedy’s appeal: contrasting his vision with that of Nixon. However, it doesn't fully encapsulate the proactive nature of Kennedy's rhetoric.

3. He wants his voters to think about how successful communism had become in other countries, so he is thinking about using some parts of it if he were to be elected.

   • This response misinterprets Kennedy's position. Kennedy was not advocating for the adoption of communism but warning against its influence and spread.

4. He wants his voters to think about how the United States should be promoting democracy to the communist countries in order to limit its spread throughout the world.

   • This response accurately captures Kennedy's intended message. He is highlighting the need for the United States to take an active role in promoting democracy as a counter to the communist threat.

Overall, the last response best articulates how Kennedy's rhetorical questions advance his appeal, as it conveys his stance on the importance of actively combating communism through democratic promotion, thereby engaging and mobilizing voters around a shared sense of purpose and urgency.