MCMC Newsletter Vol. 4: All About Presidential Debates

Now that Labor Day has come and gone (summer, where did you go?) and both parties have formally nominated their candidates for president, this fall will be focused on the upcoming presidential debates and ultimately on Election Day on November 3rd. Have you ever wondered where the tradition of televised presidential debates started and why?   Most say it first started in 1960, when then-Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy debated incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon. Not only was it the first time two presidential nominees debated each other without surrogates, it also ushered in a new era of political campaigning where public image and media exposure were integral parts of a successful campaign.   But four years earlier, the actual first televised presidential debate occurred when two surrogates for the Adlai Stevenson and Dwight Eisenhower campaigns appeared on stage on November 4, 1956, on CBS' Face the Nation.   Representing the Democratic party was former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and representing the Republican party was Margaret Chase Smith, the senior senator from Maine. That's right, the first ever presidential debate featured two women, and while public reaction to whom won the debate was mixed, the tradition of televised presidential debates was cemented for decades to come.   Fast forward to today, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will head to the debate stage this month in Cleveland, Ohio. While the upcoming presidential debate might look a little different this year with no audience, do your civic duty and watch the first debate on Tuesday, September 29.   And, as you watch the debate, don't forget to record a video telling us what your health coverage and care means to you.   Now, on to this month's content! Today, access to high-quality and affordable health coverage and care is more important ever before. Below are some pre-drafted tweets you can send during the debate to talk about the importance of building on what's working in health care where private coverage, Medicare, and Medicaid work together. I deserve access to affordable, high-quality health care. Let's build on what's working and fix what's broken. #MyCareMyChoice During this critical time, Americans deserve access to affordable health coverage. Let's build on what's working in health care and fix what's broken. #MyCareMyChoice Health care is one of the top issues for Americans this election and it's one of mine. My care should be my choice so let's build on and strengthen what's working in health care. #MyCareMyChoice     As we head closer and closer to the general election, below are some infographics to share with your friends and family about the importance of building on what's working in health care.       We also wanted to recap some notable media clips about the importance of our current health care system. As you watch the upcoming debate, below are a couple of helpful articles. PBS: With health care a top issue for voters, what do Biden and Trump propose Kaiser Family Foundation: Eligibility for ACA Health Coverage Following Job Loss Associated Press: Poll: Pandemic does little to alter US views on health care 777 6th Street NW, Washington DC, 20001   You are receiving this email because you are either a partner, member, or interested party in My Care, My Choice. If you received this message in error, please accept our apologies and feel free to unsubscribe. Unsubscribe