Kitchen Debate

The Kitchen Debate (Russian: Кухонные дебаты, romanized: Kukhonnye debaty) was a series of impromptu exchanges through interpreters between U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon and Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikita Khrushchev, at the opening of the American National Exhibition at Sokolniki Park in Moscow on July 24, 1959.

The debate was recorded on color videotape, and Nixon made reference to this fact; it was subsequently broadcast in both countries.

[8] The third visit occurred inside the kitchen on a cutaway model home that was furnished with a dishwasher, refrigerator, and range.

[1] During the third visit, in which Nixon and Khrushchev toured a model American kitchen, the two men began an unplanned debate.

Nixon's opening argument to the Kitchen Debate rested on United States' appreciation for housewives; he stressed that offering women the opportunity to reside in a comfortable home, through having the appliances be directly-installed, was an example of American superiority.

[9] Whilst pointing to the dishwasher, Nixon emphasized on his strive to make life easier for women by way of the pre-installed units.

[11] The debate was broadcast on Moscow television on July 27, albeit late at night and with Nixon's remarks only partially translated.

The New York Times called it "an exchange that emphasized the gulf between east and west but had little bearing on the substantive issue" and portrayed it as a political stunt.

[14] Time magazine, on the other hand, praised Nixon, saying that he "managed in a unique way to personify a national character proud of peaceful accomplishment, sure of its way of life, confident of its power under threat.

"[15] Nixon gained popularity because of the informal nature of the exchange, improving upon the lukewarm reception that he previously had with the American public.

"[2] The trip raised Nixon's profile as a public statesman, greatly improving his chances of receiving the Republican presidential nomination the following year.