Don't actually know the true answer to that one, ras.... and it's been a while since I've seen that epi...but, I will guess simply that Nixon/Nixon's "people" hired them....Kennedy's didn't....the almightly dolllar rules, I guess...whoever pays them to say glowing wonderful things about them, that's who they will be "for"....just guessing, of course. That's pretty much the advertising game, I gather, at least the way Sterling Cooper plays it!

Remember when they all wore Dr. Scholl's insoles and the minute they were no longer a client, Don told Peggy to take them out of her shoes?

We view Nixon from our post-Watergate experience but in 1962 he was an incredibly popular candidate. He was an experienced politician, a war veteran, virulently anti-Communist when Communism was still a source of great anxiety for the public, etc. Kennedy, on the other hand, was suspect because of his youth and comparative legislative inexperience, his being Roman Catholic at a time when people feared "Papists" would turn control of the country over to Rome, and Joe Kennedy Sr. was disliked on any number of fronts for many (some valid) reasons.

SCfan has it right when saying Sterling Cooper would throw their talents into which ever client was paying the bills, but I suspect most if not all of the pricipals of SC would have been Nixon supporters anyway. Even Pete was disdainful because JFK didn't wear a hat.

Most women of the era had (or voiced) much less interest in elections and politicians. They voted more out of civic duty than conviction, often voted their husband's candidate or - and I heard this first hand from one who always did this - voted for the handsomest candidate. I kid you not.

You are very right, there, Auburn Annie...before Nixon was ruined by Watergate, he was fantastically popular....if memory serves, I think he'd have won if not for the television debate....that's when he looked "shifty eyed" and was "sweaty"....whereas JFK was cool and confident and, of course, there was that blinding charm and charisma that Nixon sadly lacked.

I don't know if it's true or not, but it's said that that debate lost it for Nixon....I saw it live and I can believe it....

Probably because he was Catholic...it seems inconceivable today, but Kennedy was the first Catholic president and lots of people didn't vote for him b/c of that and his opponents tried to use that same anti-catholic rhetoric that was used against Al Smith.

And probably most of the clients, big corporations, liked the republicans who are anti-regulation and anti-tax.

I think it just points up something I've said earlier, that SC is supposed to be just a little behind the curve. I think it's a deliberate portrayal of them as a second tier shop, always trying to be something they're not. The agency's search for "younger" talent was really kind of clumsy and lame; asking Paul to make up a list? They should already be aware of the who the hot young talent is. It reminds me of that commercial from some years ago, something like "We're not your father's car", but in SC's case, they ARE your father's agency.

Welcome back, Auburn Annie! ;o) Yes, you are spot on. JKF was Catholic and quite feared. Catholics were re-vamping to Vatican II and many changes occured that had the older generation running scared. The old Catholic ways were being torn down and making way for a new, young approach to religion. Many churches protested Vatican II and saw JFK as a threat. Nice post, AA. Keep them coming. Cheers!

Many corps. and privately-held businesses in the early 1960's automatically voted republican; considered to be the pro-business party.
My mom (mid 20's in 1960) voted for Nixon but was considered totally cool...I love the show.

You said a mouthful char.

Political heirarchy in politics and the workplace in New York City. Ambivalence. Jazz. Connecticut in political transition. Magazines.

From Google:

Kennedy recieved 34,220,984 votes and Nixon 34,108,157 49.7% versus 49.6%, so you see this really was, I believe, the closest of all Presidential Elections.

Add into the mix votes Papa Joe supposedly bought- and it is easy to see how the world could have been quite a different place!

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most important elections ever.

("There will be a test on Monday- Please read Chapter 12...Class Dismissed!")

Con Don's, eh? Geography.