 The address was an unprecedented demonstration of the power of television to galvanize large segments of the American people to act in a political campaign . However , the onslaught of negative media attention leading up to the address " left its scars " on Nixon , and the future president never returned to the easy relationship with the press that he had enjoyed during his congressional career . His oft @-@ stated view that the media was the enemy came to play a part in his downfall . 
