The 1960 campaign was dominated by the Cold War and the economy . John F. Kennedy triumphed at the 1960 Democratic National Convention , defeating Lyndon B. Johnson , Hubert Humphrey , and other candidates to become the party 's presidential nominee . To shore up support in the South and West , Kennedy chose Johnson as his running mate . In the general election , Kennedy attacked the alleged " missile gap " and endorsed federal aid for education , an increased minimum wage , and the establishment of a federal health insurance program for the elderly . Nixon , meanwhile , wanted to win on his own , and did not take up Eisenhower 's offers for help . To Eisenhower 's great disappointment , Kennedy defeated Nixon in an extremely close election . Kennedy took 49.7 percent of the popular vote and won the electoral vote by a margin of 303-to-219
1960 Democratic National Convention
1960 Democratic National Convention
Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower